09.11.2022.
Meeting between Minister Vučević and NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Miloš Vučević met today with the NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Javier Colomina Piriz, as part of the latter’s visit to the Republic of Serbia.
Minister Vučević said that Serbia’s foreign policy priority was EU membership and its strategic commitment was military neutrality, which did not pose an obstacle for cooperation with the NATO. However, the minister said, Serbia does not have an ambition to become member of that alliance. According to him, what contributes significantly to the building of mutual trust and understanding are numerous encounters between President Aleksandar Vučić and Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, regular communication between Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff and KFOR Commander, as well as joint activities and cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR in the field.
As far as the regional security situation is concerned, Minister Vučević told his interlocutor that the overall situation in Kosovo and Metohija was giving the Republic of Serbia serious cause for concern. According to him, the current crisis has been created by Pristina’s failure to adhere to the Brussels Agreement, since Pristina has not fulfilled its single obligation – to form the Community of Serb Municipalities. Our side is committed to seeking peaceful solutions to all issues, Minister Vučević said, and it expects the political part of the NATO to maintain its neutral stance towards the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, and KFOR to act impartially, in line with its mandate, UN SC Resolution 1244 and the Military Technical Agreement, i.e. to be the only and the first force to respond in all situations where the security of the non-Albanian population is compromised.
The NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Javier Colomina confirmed that NATO fully respected Serbia’s policy of military neutrality. According to him, Serbia is a highly esteemed partner and NATO supports Serbia’s constructive role in ensuring security in the Western Balkans.
He emphasized that the presence of KFOR was of the utmost importance for guaranteeing security throughout Kosovo, and that KFOR was ready to intervene in case the stability was jeopardized, in accordance with the UN SC Resolution 1244. 