15.04.2014.
Cooperation between verification centres of Serbia and Germany
Delegation of Verification Centre of the Federal Republic of Germany, led by Brigadier General Jürgen Bayer, Chief of the Centre, is on a working visit to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia. During today's meeting, the guests were introduced to the achieved level of defence reform, focal activities in the framework of cooperation with the EU in the field of defence and planned activities within the Partnership for Peace programme.Cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany, as one of the key EU member states, is at the top of the priorities of the Republic of Serbia. Defence cooperation is taking place principally in the fields of military medicine, education and training, and preparations for deployment to multinational operations. They expressed gratitude to the Federal Republic of Germany for support to the Republic of Serbia on the road to European integration and professional engagement of members of the German armed forces in KFOR to contribute to stability and lasting peace. They also pointed out the help provided by the Federal Republic of Germany in defence reform and donations to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia within the framework of the Capacity Development Programme for Conventional Ammunition Stockpile Management during the last two years.
The beginning of joint engagement in the mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) is one of the defined priority objectives of the defence policy and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, and it is a significant qualitative step forward in the cooperation between the two ministries.
General Bayer highly evaluated the achievements made so far in cooperation in the field of arms control between the two countries. He emphasized the importance of regular bilateral consultations and exchange of information between the two countries regulated by the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control and Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. General Bayer pointed out that the joint education and training are key to continuing the successful cooperation between the two countries for a long period of time. He offered the possibility of engagement and participation of members of the Verification Centre of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia in the work of the Verification Centre of the Federal Republic of Germany. He also underlined the necessity of modification of the existing treaties in the field of arms control and strengthening of confidence building and cooperation measures in accordance with the new environment, security risks and challenges.
At the meeting of the chiefs of verification centres the discussion also addressed the cooperation in the field of arms control analyzing the implementation of the Bilateral Agreements in the previous period.During the visit of the German delegation, a Letter of Intent was signed between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia – Verification Centre and Bundeswehr Verification Centre on measures for confidence and security strengthening in order to define cooperation in the field of arms control in the next two years. The new Letter of Intent will provide a continuation of the successful cooperation in the field of arms control in the future and contribute to the strengthening of security and stability in the region.
