The Republic of Serbia joined the Programme Partnership for Peace (PfP) in December 2006. Serbia opted for this kind of partnership as an optimal way to achieve its security objectives - improving defense capabilities while maintaining military neutrality.
Although it has no ambitions to become a NATO member, Serbia recognizes the room for further improvement of cooperation within the framework of PfP and its mechanisms. Respecting this position of Serbia, NATO and its member states are willing to cooperate in a given framework, with a view to strengthening stability and confidence in regional and in wider European area, as well as the strengthening of bilateral relations with member states. At the same time, Serbia intends to prove itself as a reliable and predictable partner with a significant role in maintaining regional stability and security.
As a participant in the Partnership for Peace, the Republic of Serbia has opted for concrete cooperation and activities. Among others, joint activities between Serbia and NATO are being conducted in the framework of Serbia - NATO Defence Reform Group, as well as through Planning and Review Process - PARP, which aims to promote defense structure reforms and support the achievement of the highest international operational standards in the Serbian Armed Forces.
On 15 January 2015 the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) between the Republic of Serbia and NATO was approved. IPAP represents the highest form of cooperation with NATO through the Partnership for Peace, without implying any aspirations for membership in the Alliance. This document clearly and transparently highlights goals and priorities which Serbia wants to achieve through cooperation with NATO. Implementation of IPAP will contribute to strengthening mutual trust between Serbia and NATO and creating conditions for raising political dialogue to a higher level.
Relations between Serbia and NATO are influenced by NATO intervention against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999 and the fact that on the basis of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 NATO deployed its KFOR operation in Kosovo and Metohija.
Serbia recognises the role and importance that NATO has within the system of the regional security, with particular regard to the protection of Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija, given the fact that KFOR is key guarantor of their security. Practical cooperation on the ground between the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR in the implementation of the Military Technical Agreement (signed in Kumanovo in June 1999), is defined by high level of confidence, respect and mutual understanding, with common aim to foster and maintain peace and security. The Republic of Serbia highly appreciates the role played by NATO in achieving Brussels Agreement in April 2013, particularly in preserving the security of the population in the northern parts of Kosovo and Metohija.
An important area of cooperation at the international level is the cooperation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Although, in institutional terms, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is not part of the Alliance structure, this form of parliamentary cooperation contributes to a better mutual understanding and strengthening cooperation between NATO member states and partner countries. Since 2007, the delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia participates in the activities of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly as Associate Delegation.
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