10.06.2009.
It is in the region's interest to cooperate
During his visit to Skopje today, the Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac stated that despite position differences regarding the Kosovo issue, both countries agree that this problem should be resolved peacefully for the sake of the region.“Serbia and Macedonia do not agree on the Kosovo issue, yet they do agree that any solution reached should be safe both for the citizens and the region”, as Sutanovac said at the press conference held after his meeting with the Macedonian Defense Minister Zoran Konjanovski and after signing the bilateral military cooperation agreement.
Furthermore, as Sutanovac highlighted, “the joint interest of the region is to solve this issue through peaceful means the way Serbia is trying”
Speaking about the security in the region, Sutanovac said that there was an obvious need for “stronger ties and cooperation” between Serbia and Macedonia for the sake of addressing all security risks in the region.
“Even though we live in separate states, we share the same security challenges”, remarked Defense Minister of Serbia, commenting such examples of security threats as organized crime and religious fanaticism.
He also recalled drug trafficking in the Balkans, as well as illegal migrations and human trafficking.
Both countries’ shared interest is to become full members of EU.
“The priority of the Balkan countries is to establish cooperation in Euro-Atlantic integrations.
The Macedonian defense minister commented on this saying that Macedonia was ready to share its experiences in Euro Atlantic integrations, adding that both countries hacve already made plans for cooperation in 2009.Macedonia advocates open dialogue and cherishing neighbourly relations with Serbia.
Both ministers also discussed cooperation in defense industry, military education and health care.
AS for the cooperation in military education, minister Sutanovac stated Serbia’s readiness to offer further education at the Military Academy in Belgrade to Macedonian cadets.
Reminding that last year alone Serbia sold 400 USD million worth of weapons and military equipment, Serbian defense minister also expressed Serbia’s interest in cooperation in the field of defense industry in order to emerge on the market of the thirld world countries.
The visit also envisions the meetings with the President and Prime Minister of Macedonia, Djiordje Ivanov and Nikola Gruevski respectively.
The visit will end in the commemoration ceremony, where Sutanovac will lay wreaths on the memorial tomb Zebrnjak near Kumanovo, the resting place of the soldiers who perished in Kumanovo Battle in 1912.
Beta news agency
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