29.03.2011.
SAF CHOD meets with the Bulgarian CHOD, Gen. Simonov
Serbian Chief of General Staff General Miletic Miloje met with the Chief of Defense of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria General Simeon Simeonov in the SAF GS.According to General Miletic talks between the two delegations referred to the improvement of bilateral co-operation modalities of the Army of Serbia and the Bulgarian Army, as well as on current security issues in the region.
He recalled that in the past few years, the Serbian Armed forces organized and successfully carried out exercises with the Armed Forces of Bulgaria, most important being the joint firing exercise of air defense units of the two armies, in “Sabla" training ground in Bulgaria last year. He announced that it was agreed that a similar shooting on the same test site should be held in the fall of this year. In addition, as General Miletic, said the two armies will participate in a joint, trilateral exercise "Marinac" Army of Serbia, Bulgaria, and the US Armed Forces, as well as in the exercise which is t be held within the framework of the Balkan CHODs conference that will apply to the area of energy security, and is to be hosted by the Republic of Bulgaria. -
I am confident that the visit of General Simeon will prove as an incentive to continue intensive cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and the Bulgarian Army, in terms of sharing experiences, and practical confirmation in joint exercises and shooting at the training grounds, which will be useful for both militaries and will contribute to the development of relations between Serbia and Bulgaria and confidence in the region - said Chief Miloje Miletic. General Simeonov said that this cooperation would continue in the spirit of good relations, and planned to continue expert talks to increase the operational abilities of the two armies.
- We are interested in having our country living in peace and economic stability, as General Simeon said, adding that Bulgaria supports the Republic of Serbia and its army in the activities of the Partnership for Peace. He also recalled the successful carrying out of the exercise at the training ground "Shabla," stressing that the joint exercises and training were an important aspect of cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
Responding to reporters' questions, General Miletic said that there was a strong possibility that at this year's joint exercises at the training ground "Shabla" missile air defense units as well as fighter aviation would participate, with a pair of MIG 29, stating that talks on the issue in progress. He also said that there had been no concrete offers by the Russian Federation regarding the merchandise credit in the amount of $ 3 billion for procurement of military equipment, which the Serbian media had recently announced. Gen. Simeon also met with Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac.
