04.12.2009.
Improvement of relations despite some disagreements
Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac, at the end of the visit to Washington and Ohio, said that in all meetings he came to understanding and wish to improve USA – Serbia relations, not only in the defense field, but also in industry and economy, despite the disagreements on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. “SAF CHOD (Miloje) Miletic will visit USA in February, while in September we expect visit of the Chief National Guard Bureau General (Craig) McKinley, that will reinforce cooperation and deepen relations, having on mind that we want to continue to educate our officers in USA”, said Sutanovac to Beta News Agency at the end of his visit to USA.
He added that the visit was very positive and that he came to understanding on the issue of visa liberalization for Serbia in the meetings that he had in the Senate and Congress.
“I believe that, after the visa liberalization from the European Union, there are conditions to have positive steps in the same direction from the USA too”, said Sutanovac.
Minister said that he believes that the visit of the Senator George Voinovich to Serbia and the region in February next year will contribute to enhancing of Serbia and USA relations.
“I am convinced that there will be more senators that will want to familiarize with the situation in Serbia, in the full conviction that Serbia should get final support for the European integration and strengthening relations with the USA”, Sutanovac said.
During his visit to USA, minister Sutanovac met with the USA Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and he also had meetings in the Senate, Congress and the White House. Serbian delegation also visited Ohio as a guest to the National Guard of that state, whit whom SAF has a Partnership Program.
Sutanovac laid wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.
He visited 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
