Serbian "no" to NATO exercises

Serbia has decided against taking part in NATO exercises in Georgia as Russia’s official position is that they pose a threat to its security, says Vuk Jeremic. The foreign minister told B92 that the decision concerning U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden’s visit had yet to be confirmed by the White House, but that the chances were high that he would coming to Serbia in mid-May. Serbian "no" to NATO exercises Jeremic dismissed speculation about any dispute between himself and Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac over the army’s participation in the NATO exercises in Georgia. “Neither our troops, nor our staff, nor anyone else from Serbia will be taking part in this NATO exercise in Georgia. The reason for that is that the Russian Federation has outlined its position that this exercise constitutes a security threat to her,“ the minister stressed. He added that Belgrade would not be taking part in any project that constituted a security threat to Russia. While there is still no official confirmation of the U.S. vice-president’s visit to Serbia, Jeremic said that Belgrade had already begun preparing for his arrival as if it was definite. However, he stressed that he did not believe that the visit would bring the countries any closer on the issue of Kosovo. “Our plan is to enhance dialogue with Washington on issues where there is no divergence. I’m glad that my colleagues in Washington are of the same opinion,” said the minister. He added that Belgrade would also be pursuing a more proactive policy towards Croatia and Montenegro. Jeremic said that Knin was an exceptionally important place for Serbia when it came to the return of refugees to Croatia, and that Serbia would be opening a consulate there and shutting its existing one in Rijeka. Serbia will also be asking Montenegro for consulates to be opened in Niksic,Herceg Novi and Bijelo Polje. Vuk Jeremic (FoNet, archive)

Serbian "no" to NATO exercises

Jeremić dismissed speculation about any dispute between himself and Defense Minister Dragan Šutanovac over the army’s participation in the NATO exercises in Georgia.

“Neither our troops, nor our staff, nor anyone else from Serbia will be taking part in this NATO exercise in Georgia. The reason for that is that the Russian Federation has outlined its position that this exercise constitutes a security threat to her,“ the minister stressed.

He added that Belgrade would not be taking part in any project that constituted a security threat to Russia.

While there is still no official confirmation of the U.S. vice-president’s visit to Serbia, Jeremić said that Belgrade had already begun preparing for his arrival as if it was definite. However, he stressed that he did not believe that the visit would bring the countries any closer on the issue of Kosovo.

“Our plan is to enhance dialogue with Washington on issues where there is no divergence. I’m glad that my colleagues in Washington are of the same opinion,” said the minister.

He added that Belgrade would also be pursuing a more proactive policy towards Croatia and Montenegro.

Jeremić said that Knin was an exceptionally important place for Serbia when it came to the return of refugees to Croatia, and that Serbia would be opening a consulate there and shutting its existing one in Rijeka.

Serbia will also be asking Montenegro for consulates to be opened in Nikšić,Herceg Novi and Bijelo Polje.