23.11.2021.
Meeting between Assistant Minister Bandić and General Diella
Assistant Minister for Defence Policy Predrag Bandić met today with Major General Francesco Diella, Director of the Cooperative Security Division of the NATO International Military Staff, as part of the latter’s three-day visit to Serbia.
During today's meeting, Assistant Minister Bandić pointed out that the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces actively participate and use numerous mechanisms provided by the Partnership for Peace programme, which we consider the optimal form of cooperation, given our firm commitment to military neutrality.The talks focused on the results achieved through the Planning and Review Process, the Operational Capabilities Concept, the Defence Education Enhancement Programme and the Science for Peace and Security Programme.
They emphasized the importance of adopting the Strategic Documents, which frame the concept of defence as relying on one’s own forces, on the basis of military neutrality, and confirm Serbia’s strong determination to be a factor of stability in the region.Bandić conveyed Serbia’s concerns regarding the overall situation in Kosovo and Metohija to the NATO representatives, pointing out a number of unilateral decisions made by the temporary institutions in Pristina. He emphasized that the Republic of Serbia strongly opposes the formation of the so-called "Kosovo Armed Forces" and that it maintains that KFOR is most responsible for keeping peace and security in the southern Serbian province.
Assistant Minister Bandić concluded that the Republic of Serbia demonstrates through its actions its willingness to build close partnerships with all key actors in international politics, and that further dynamics and the level of cooperation with NATO will be projected in accordance with the interests of both sides.