Ministry of defence Republic of Serbia
 
02.04.2021.

Minister Stefanović talks to U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper



Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović, PhD, talked today via video-link to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper about further cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence.

Stefanović pointed out that the cooperation in the field of defence was substantial; it included numerous projects, and focused on enhancing the Serbian Armed Forces’ capabilities through joint exercises with the U.S. Armed Forces and further development of cooperation with the Ohio National Guard.
Minister Stefanović extended an invitation to the U.S Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin to visit Serbia and expressed hope that a bilateral military exercise would be carried out in summer.

He pointed out that the Republic of Serbia continued to pursue a balanced defence policy and continuously work on improving and further developing defence relations with all countries and international organizations, in accordance with Serbia’s long-term strategic commitment to preserve its status of military neutrality. 
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper pointed out that there was room for further improvement of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence, starting with joint training and exercises, and she also noted that this year marked the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Serbia and the United States and 15 years of successful cooperation through the Ohio National Guard State Partnership Program.

The interlocutors concluded that both countries were interested in continuing the military cooperation and expanding it to new areas.
The U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Anthony Godfrey, Assistant Secretary for Defence Policy Predrag Bandić and Assistant Secretary for Material Resources Nenad Miloradović, PhD, also took part in the conversation with the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper. Earlier, Ms. Cooper also talked to Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff General Milan Mojsilović and State Secretary Aleksandar Živković.
 
photoPHOTOGALLERY
videoVIDEOGALLERY
02.04.2021
mp4 (33,58 MB)
Video conference