Ministry of defence Republic of Serbia
 
04.04.2009.

Serbia will enter NATO even if not as a member state



The fact that Croatia and Albania have become new members of NATO will not affect the security situation in Serbia. NATO membership is not a precondition for European integrations. The reason why we still haven’t opened our office in Brussels is of technical nature.

Serbia will become part of NATO, even without attaining membership of the Alliance, as Minister of Defense Draga Sutanovac states in his interview to Danas daily.

He points out the fact that the soldiers of NATO member states’ armies will soon be in Serbia’s neighbouring countries, and this is a reality we must come to terms with. In his words, it is necessary to participate in all regional, as well as wider initiatives which will enable the protection of shared interests in the defense system. Recalling his cooperation with KFOR in the south of Serbia, the Minister of defense regards as good cooperation, but only at operational level. In his answer to the direct question whether Serbia should become a NATO members state.

Unfortunately, Serbia’s experience with NATO from 1999 has been an unprecedented one for all alliance members. Serbia finds itself in a very specific situation, which is hard to define and explain to those countries which did not have that kind of experience. On the other hand, our priority is EU membership. We have recieved assurances that NATO membership will not be a stumbling block on our path to EU. Serbia has established good bilateral cooperation with all crucial NATO members. Military cooperation is the basis of good cooperation between our country and NATO members states, as is the case with the relations with USA and Norway.

How will the fact that Croatia and Albania’s membership in NATO affect the security situation in Serbia?

-I do not believe that this membership will have any negative effects on Serbia’s security. Croatia’s credit rating has increased by 1 % since they were invited to join the Aliance. Also foreign investments have surged. Unfortunately, Serbia’s perception of NATO membership is different. During his visit to Serbia, the Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said that Croatia will provide Serbia with all necessary support on its European path, which is a most positive signal.

When will Serbia open its office in Brussels?

-Serbia lost a whole year when the Prime Minister of the Previous Government blocked the signing of the Security Agreement with NATO. After this Security Agreement was signed in October last year, the reasons for not opening the office are purely technical-as it is necessary to find adequate premises, and we also have to appoint the ambassador. All PfP partner states, including Russia, have their offices in Brussels. Therefore, we can say that in this respect the relations between Serbia and NATO are at an unacceptably low level. Serbia could benefit from many things by opening its office in Brussels, but, unfortunately, we are lagging behind.
What are the benefits Serbia drew from the Security Agreement?

-The fact that we still haven’t opened the offices in Brussels results in the problems in communication and exchange of information. Our presence would enable the stronger ties and better cooperation in military education, health care, preparations for participation in joint operations, and organization of joint exercises. Furthermore, we would promote better not only our defense system but also certain projects in science, ecology and energy field.

When it comes to European integrations, we usually forget that once Serbia becomes an EU member state, it will become part of European security forces.

- Serbia should determine when and where it can participate in multinational operations, while also protecting its interests. Austria and Sweden are not members of NATO, yet still have great power in the Partnership for Peace Program and in the Alliance, too. I think that Serbia should following these countries seek solutions for itself. Serbia’s involvement in international peacekeeping operations could be one of Serbia’s strongest aduts in its foreign policy. After all, the Serbian Armed Forces are an elemnt of Serbia’s foreign policy.

Ivana Pejcic

Kumanovo Accords

There have been some announcements regarding the review of the Kumanovo Accords?

-This initiative is being considered at a technical level. Progress is evident, but making final amendments to the agreement is very uncertain.
 
MOD
Ministry of defence Republic of Serbia, Bircaninova 5 street, Belgrade
Questions of citizens: brziodgovor@mod.gov.rs, media requests: info@mod.gov.rs
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