15.12.2022.
Meeting between Minister Vučević and UK Ambassador
Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Miloš Vučević met with the UK Ambassador to Serbia Sian Christina MacLeod.
Minister Vučević emphasized our commitment to strengthening the highest-level dialogue between Serbia and the United Kingdom, which would contribute to the improvement of cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including defence. According to him, defence cooperation in the previous period was characterized by high-level meetings, which do not only create an opportunity to exchange opinions on current topics in a constructive dialogue, but also contribute to reaching a consensus of opinions on security risks in the Balkans and beyond, as well as to mutual understanding and strengthening relations between the two countries.The Minister of Defence expressed deep concern about the situation in Kosovo and Metohija. According to him, Serbia remains firmly committed to peace, stability and the preservation of dialogue with Pristina, which is supported by President Aleksandar Vučić’s appeal for the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija to respect KFOR and EULEX during the current crisis.
Minister Vučević said that compliance with international agreements was a fundamental principle that must be adhered to. According to him, the transformation of the so-called "Kosovo Security Forces" into the so-called "Kosovo Armed Forces" is unacceptable for us and it harms the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and contributes to the destabilization of the entire region.Speaking about bilateral military cooperation, the Minister of Defence expressed appreciation for donations made by the British side to the Ministry of Defence of Serbia, as well as for providing the members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces with an opportunity to receive training in British military educational institutions. He underscored the importance of our joint participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), which was the flagship in our military cooperation so far and an incentive for us to further improve the overall relations between the two countries.
Ambassador MacLeod agreed that maintaining the continuity in high-level dialogue was important. She emphasized that the British side was interested in further developing defence cooperation with Serbia through joint participation in multinational operations, and in intensifying cooperation in the areas of military medicine and education.
