10.01.2011.

Minister of Defense of Denmark visits Serbia

Ministers of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, Dragan Sutanovac and Denmark Defense Gite Lilelund met today at the House of Guards in Topcider where they discussed the current issues of cooperation between the two countries in defense and the possibilities for its expansion. On that occasion, the Chief of the International Military Cooperation Department Milorad Peric and Secretary of State of MoD Christian Fischer of Denmark signed a bilateral military cooperation plan for 2011 which envisions more than 30 joint activities.

Sutanovac said that in accordance with state policy and defense policy of Serbia, that this was the first visit in the new year from the European Union, from Denmark, a small yet rather influential country which is demonstrating great wisdom. He expressed satisfaction with the visit of colleagues from Denmark, stressing that this is the first recorded visit of this country’s defense minister to Serbia.

Sutanovac assessed the cooperation between the two countries and ministries as very good pointing out that Denmark has in recent years donated some around 3.15 million EUR worth of funds, the last portion being allocated to the Air Force and Air Defense. The Minister thanked Denmark the support it is showing to Serbia in making efforts in the field of European integration, and the donations of the defense system.

The minister underlined that Denmark has a very important defense policy and participates in a number of peacekeeping missions. He pointed out that the today he had discussed the experiences of these countries in international operations, the training and education of the Serbian Armed Forces to participate in peacekeeping missions according to the best standards applied by Denmark.

Sutanovac briefed the Minister on the activities of Beck Serbia in the Partnership for Peace, and in return he has received assurances that the Ministry of Defence of Denmark would support the Serbian representatives at NATO HQ in Brussels to participate in PfP in full capacity.

The Minister said talks touched on the exchange of cadets and officers in training and development while expressing his appreciation for the opportunities provided to our Military Academy cadets to visit Denmark and to see how the local defense system works. He said that Denmark has expressed interest in the development of the military base “Jug” which, according to him should grow into a regional center for peacekeeping operations. Furthermore, as he remarked Denmark has had extensive experience in peace operations from which our country could greatly benefit concluding that in this field we see the possibility of extending cooperation to both countries’ satisfaction.

Minister of Defence of Denmark Gite Lilelund Beck said that her first visit to Serbia was a priority in the work schedule in the new year. She deemed the cooperation of the two ministries as excellent pointing out that one of the main aims of her visit to Belgrade was just to underline this fact as well as to sign the Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan.

Beck congratulated Minister Sutanovac on "impressive reforms conducted in the defense system", emphasizing that the effect of Serbia as the main promoter and leader of regional security is very important for its further European integration. She said that Serbia had a very important role in the Western Balkans which is why her country supports Serbia's path to EU accession. She said that during the talks focused on the experiences of the defense system reforms, future challenges, international operations, in the light of the global economic crisis, to make sure that we conduct "intelligent defense" defense, which deals with specific issues and risks of the future.

Minister Beck said she expected the co-operation to continue both at the ministerial level and the level of the members of the two ministries. She took the opportunity to invite Minister Sutanovac to visit Copenhagen during 2011.

In his answer to reporters’ question how he comments the article published in the British "Economist" on the success of the Serbian military industry and its reemergence on defense industry markets, the minister recalled that in last year's contracts reached would one billion dollars, while the last arrangement of this figure was exceeded by about 200 million. This year, according to the minister, is important because we about to sign another agreement, on the overhaul and modernization of tanks in Kuwait, but also the construction and equipping of the military hospitals in Libya. Minister Sutanovac said that control in the defense industry would be increased, adding that it is very difficult to make such a progress in any industry. He expressed satisfaction that has been acknowledged by international journals such as the "Economist".