04.04.2016.

Defence Minister receives CSTO Secretary General

Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic, received today, at the Old General Staff building, Nikolai Nikolayevich Bordyuzha, Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization - CSTO, who is in an official visit to the Republic of Serbia until 5th April.

The main topics of discussion included the exchange of information on participation in peacekeeping operations and the fight against terrorism, and they also talked about the fight against drug trafficking, which poses a serious global threat.

It was emphasized that the main foreign policy priority of the Republic of Serbia is full EU membership, with simultaneous excellent relations with all partners in the East and the West. It was pointed out that in the extremely complex foreign-policy conditions, the Republic of Serbia continues to develop bilateral partnership relations with members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and primarily with the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Armenia.

It is particularly noted that the Republic of Serbia pursues an independent foreign policy that is committed to military neutrality, and that its cooperation with NATO is only within the Partnership for Peace programme, with no aspirations for membership.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Jovica Draganic, Russian Ambassador Alexander Chepurin and representatives of the Ministry of Interior.

During the day, the Russian official has also been received by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.