05.08.2011.
Minister Sutanovac talks with the US officials
For several days, Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac will be paying a working visit to the United States. Sutanovac, while in the U.S., visited the Ministry of Defence and met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Ambassador Alexander Vershbow. The Minister also took this opportunity to convey Serbia’s stance regarding the current situation in Kosovo after the unilateral actions of special units of the KPS, stressing it was completely unacceptable to have any unilateral violent measures that would change the situation in the area of northern Kosovo. Assistant Secretary of Defense Vershbow agreed that a solution to the Kosovo crisis should be sought in a diplomatic and peaceful means, and supported the activities of the state leadership of Serbia in its efforts to resolve the crisis continued dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.
Sutanovac made it clear that it was crucial to continue cooperation with KFOR on the ground, and that this situation shows exactly why Serbia is against the downsizing of KFOR troops. Assistant Secretary of Defense Vershbow has supported the defense system reform, emphasizing the importance of increasing participation of the Serbian Armed Forces in multinational operations under UN auspices and the beginning of involvement in EU missions, as a sign of partnership in maintaining peace in the world. He also praised Serbia's efforts in order to achieve full cooperation with ICTY.
During the visit, Sutanovac met with General Craig McKinely, Head of U.S. National Guard Bureau and General Deborah Ashenhurst, commander of the Ohio National Guard. Sutanovac briefed his interlocutors about the current political and security situation in Kosovo and Metohija, stressing the importance of calming the current tensions, achieving the interim agreement and reopening the dialogue and stressed that unilateral actions are not in the interest of either party, or the peace in the region.
General McKinley stated that the Serbian side has acted properly when using all peaceful and diplomatic means because that is the only way to get to real solutions. They discussed the bilateral military cooperation between U.S. and Serbia, its further improvement, especially as regards the continuation of good cooperation with the Ohio National Guard. Sutanovac also met with Congressman Michael Turner of Ohio. During the talks, Congressman Turner has stressed the role of the Ministry of Defence as a proactive participant in the strengthening of cooperation between the U.S. and Serbia, underlying that it was important to continue with such cooperation and good contacts in future, too. He assessed that Serbia and the U.S. should restore good diplomatic relations which have a 130-year long tradition.
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