Taking part in EU missions "leads to closer relations"

BELGRADE Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic has said the EU's invitation to Serbia to take part in its Mali mission opened "a new chapter" in the relations with the EU. It meant "closer cooperation and partnership," he noted. Taking part in EU missions "leads to closer relations" Taking part in EU missions "leads to closer relations" Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic said on Wednesday the EU's invitation to Serbia to take part in its Mali mission opened "a new chapter" in the relations with the EU. It meant "closer cooperation and partnership," he noted. Mrkic addressed parliament on Wednesday to explain the government's decision to send Serbian troops to Mali to train the local forces by saying that deployments to multinational operations helped improve Serbia's national security. "Participation of the Serbian Armed Forces in activities included in the EU security and defence policy is one of the priorities of the Defence Ministry, which it showed by sending troops to help in EU efforts against Somali pirates and to train Somali forces in Uganda," Mrkic noted. Commenting on the mission to Mali, he said Serbia would send medical personnel and training teams there, a total of 13 people, and that it would cost around EUR 680,000. "EU High Representative Catherine Ashton invited Serbia to take part in the Mali mission," he pointed out. The Serbian parliament needs to vote on the proposal, since the invitation arrived after the annual plan for the Serbian Armed Forces involvement in multinational operations, so this mission was not included, he said and called on the members of the parliament to support the decision. Parliament adopted in February the plan regarding the deployment of the military and other security forces in 2013, which included multinational operations. According to the plan, Serbian troops will take part in nine UN and EU operations in 2013, while the police will take part in four. (Beta, file) Tanjug

Taking part in EU missions "leads to closer relations"

Taking part in EU missions "leads to closer relations"

Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkić said on Wednesday the EU's invitation to Serbia to take part in its Mali mission opened "a new chapter" in the relations with the EU.

It meant "closer cooperation and partnership," he noted.

Mrkić addressed parliament on Wednesday to explain the government's decision to send Serbian troops to Mali to train the local forces by saying that deployments to multinational operations helped improve Serbia's national security.

"Participation of the Serbian Armed Forces in activities included in the EU security and defence policy is one of the priorities of the Defence Ministry, which it showed by sending troops to help in EU efforts against Somali pirates and to train Somali forces in Uganda," Mrkić noted.

Commenting on the mission to Mali, he said Serbia would send medical personnel and training teams there, a total of 13 people, and that it would cost around EUR 680,000.

"EU High Representative Catherine Ashton invited Serbia to take part in the Mali mission," he pointed out.

The Serbian parliament needs to vote on the proposal, since the invitation arrived after the annual plan for the Serbian Armed Forces involvement in multinational operations, so this mission was not included, he said and called on the members of the parliament to support the decision.

Parliament adopted in February the plan regarding the deployment of the military and other security forces in 2013, which included multinational operations. According to the plan, Serbian troops will take part in nine UN and EU operations in 2013, while the police will take part in four.