01.12.2009.
Minister Sutanovac: Visit to USA for the improvement of the relations
Serbian Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac said that the meeting with his American colleague Robert Gates, which was held today in Washington, is one of the most important meetings since he had been leading Ministry, and that this visit ought to have influence on improvement of not only the cooperation in the defense field, but of overall Serbia – USA relations.“It is known that we had a lot of problems in the last decade of the last century, but it is also known that during the several last years Ministry of Defense has been making a large steps towards stabilization of Serbia – USA relations”, said Sutanovac to the Serbian and American journalists after the meeting with Gates in Pentagon.
Sutanovac also said that the recent visit of the US Vice President Joe Biden proved that “US respects Serbia”, which is significant. Furthermore, on the meeting with Gates it was agreed that among the overall relations between two countries, one of the most important is in the defense field.
Sutanovac reminded that more dozens Serbian officers had been and still are educated in prestige US military schools, and added that he talked with Gates about further exchange of experience in the field of education and training.
Two ministries were talking about further SAF activities in the NATO Partnership for Peace Program. Sutanovac informed his colleague about SAF Medical Team participation in peacekeeping mission in Chad and our intention to participate in other missions along with the “European partners”.
“At this moment, it is difficult for us to have more serious engagement in missions, as it would be US consideration, due to technical as well as political reasons”, said Sutanovac and added that he had explained a plan of SAF profesionalization, after which SAF will be interoperable with other armies.
He also added that they were not discussing the question of Kosovo and Metohija and reminded that there has been made an agreement during Biden’s visit that there is “no agreement” between two countries on that issue.
Minister Sutanovac reminded that USA have invested 500 million dollars in Serbia so far and said that he hopes that all future investments will be even more visible.
According to Sutanovac, the cooperation of SAF and Ohio National Guard has exceeded all expectations and should be an indicator for the improvement of the civil cooperation. He also added that cooperation of SAF and Ohio Guard is indicator for other US Guards how to cooperate with other armed forces.
During the first day of the visit to USA, Sutanovac laid wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery. During his visit to USA, he will have meetings in Washington in the Senate, Congress and the White House, as well as in Ohio with the representatives of the National Guard of that state.
Sutanovac is visiting USA on the invitation of the USA Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, which is the first invitation to a Serbian Defense Minister after 25 years.
Beta News Agency
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