20. Dec 2022.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić met today with the Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Admiral of the US Armed Forces Stuart B. Munsch, who is visiting the Republic of Serbia.

The two officials exchanged opinions on the current state and perspective of partner cooperation between the RS and NATO, the current security situation in Kosovo and Metohija and the activities of the NATO-led KFOR mission, as well as regional, European and global security issues.

Both officials expressed their determination to further improve partnership cooperation in all areas of common interest, and satisfaction with the dynamics of political dialogue and practical cooperation in numerous areas within the Partnership for Peace program, with full respect for Serbia's policy of military neutrality.

It was also stated that Serbia and NATO share a common interest in preserving peace and stability in the region, as well as that the regular dialogue between representatives of Serbia and NATO political and military officials contributes to better mutual understanding, especially when it comes to the most important issues of interest to Serbia, as well as the region.

The importance of the engagement of the International Security Forces (KFOR) in Kosovo, as well as the strict, complete and impartial implementation of the mandate established and assigned to KFOR based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 was particularly emphasised.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.

A delegation of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples, led by Lieutenant Colonel Michael Pierson, stayed in the Republic of Serbia to conduct expert staff talks with representatives of the Ministry of Defence of Serbia.

The NATO delegation was received by Head of Department for International Military Cooperation Colonel Nebojša Svjetlica, who underlined the importance of the overall cooperation with NATO, through the Partnership for Peace Programme and joint engagement of the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR. He reminded that Serbia is a militarily neutral country, dedicated to regional and global security, which improves the capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces through the participation in activities under the auspices of different cooperation mechanisms.

Lieutenant Colonel Pierson agreed that the cooperation between the two sides under the auspices of the Partnership for Peace Programme is very successful, and he stated that NATO fully respects the orientation and sovereign decisions of Serbia, which is perceived by the Alliance as a reliable partner. He stated that the partnership built over the past sixteen years between NATO and Serbia is founded on the requests of Serbia, and it is mutually beneficial, and he also stated that NATO welcomes the continuation of this partnership. On that occasion, Lieutenant Colonel Pierson stressed that the security is a team work, and that the two sides work together to maintain peace and prosperity of citizens. The talks were attended by a representative of the NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade.

The expert staff talks between representatives of the Ministry of Defence and NATO represent a regular annual activity during which the sides analyse the degree of achieved cooperation in the current year and they also analyse the plans for the cooperation in the following year. The activity is carried out alternately in Belgrade and Naples.

Source: Ministry of Defence of Republic of Serbia.

The Military Representation of the Mission of Serbia to NATO traditionally took part at the annual NATO Charity Bazaar at NATO HQ. The Serbian stand was visited, among others, by Deputy Chair of the NATO Military Committee Lieutenant General Lance Landrum and Director General of the International Military Staff Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak. As in previous years, the stand presented variety of products from Serbia.