Serbian ministers receive visiting NATO official

Serbian ministers receive visiting NATO official

The officials discussed issues of improving cooperation between Serbia and NATO through the Partnership for Peace (PfP), the implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) between Serbia and NATO, as well as the current security situation in the region and in Kosovo and Metohija, the government said on its website.

Dacic said that the adoption of the IPAP was "the most significant qualitative step in the relations between Serbia and NATO since Serbia joined the Partnership for Peace, and that our country is very committed to its implementation."

He "pointed out that Serbia remains military neutral, but that it recognizes the considerable scope for further improvement of the partnership cooperation within the Partnership for Peace, and that it has an important role in safeguarding regional security and stability."

Dacic also spoke about "the very good cooperation with KFOR and argued for its unrelenting presence in the province, and emphasised the importance of the role of NATO/KFOR as a guarantor of security and the implementation of the Brussels agreement," according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Stamatopoulos was also received today by Minister of Defense Bratislav Gasic. They "assessed that the military collaboration based on mechanisms and programs of the Partnership for Peace between Serbia and NATO is satisfactory and of quality," the Ministry of Defense stated.

Bearing in mind that EU membership is Serbia's primary goal, Gasic stressed that further cooperation with NATO should reflect the needs of the country to build the capacities necessary for engaging in UN and EU operations through active participation in the Partnership for Peace, a statement said.

At the same time, all these contribute to the development of Common Security and Defense Policy of the EU.

Gasic "pointed out that active participation in the activities of the Partnership for Peace program represents an optimal frame for the completion of security objectives and advancement of defensive capacities while retaining the proclaimed policy of military neutrality."