06.08.2010.

Minister Sutanovac visits Iraq

Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac paid an official visit to Iraq yesterday where he conveyed Serbia’s stance to the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki regarding the decision of the International Court of Justice on the Kosovo status. Iraq did not accept the unilateral independence of Kosovo, and Iraq’s support to Serbia’s territorial sovereignty and integrity was once again confirmed yesterday.

Serbia and Iraq have had a long tradition of good, partner and friendly relations, which can be seen in the fact that both Serbia and Iraq have unified positions regarding the Kosovo status, and also in the fact that Iraq has very clear intention of buying weapons made in Serbia.

In his talks with Prime Minister Maliki, Minister Sutanovac discussed the possibilities for improving bilateral military cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of defense industry, after yesterday’s prearranged delivery of three Lasta air crafts.
“Iraqis are very satisfied with the fact that we have managed to fulfill our contracts on the prearranged delivery and are still interested in deploying Serbia for the reconstruction of the air base and the construction of the military hospital and ammo of all calibers.

Furthermore, he discussed the possibilities for the return of Serbian construction companies in Iraq and the continuation of cooperation with the Minister of the Iraqi Police Javad al Bolanie and the Defense Chief of the Iraqi armed forces General Babekr al Zibary.

- This visit will lay foundations for our future cooperation, and the officials of the Iraqi ministries of defense and the interior have given us confirmations that the Serbian defense industry would be engaged, as minister said.

Iraq’s top officials expressed their interest for continuing their education in the Serbian military academy. Both sides agreed that the relations of the two countries were at a very high level thanks to the cooperation in the area of defense.
Serbia’s largest and most important partner in defense industry last year was actually Iraq who received the ordered weapons and air crafts made by Utva Pancevo. The order was for 20 air crafts. The delivery for the rest of the air crafts is scheduled for the end of the year as this air crafts will be the core of the training process in Iraq.
Serbia’s defense industry has made a 300 million USD worth of exports in 2009, while at the same time concluding 500 million USD worth of contracts with Iraq, Algeria and Egypt.