30.11.2011.

Visit of Norwegian Minister of Defence

Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac met today with Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Norway Espen Barth Eide in the Guard House in Topcider. On this occasion, Minister Sutanovac emphasised that the meeting today was the first bilateral visit of the Norwegian Defence Minister since he was appointed to this duty, which is a confirmation of the commitment to cooperation with Serbia and Serbian Armed Forces.

- In the past, Norway was, in line with its capacities, the biggest donor to Serbia, whereas the Ministry of Defence of that country was the biggest donor to our Armed Forces. On the other hand, the most important international activities in the past years, such as participation in the peace-keeping mission in Chad, were within the contingent of the Norwegian Army and that has been one of the most important experiences our Armed Forces had in the peace-keeping operations – Minister Sutanovac pointed out, expressing, at the same time, his content that the talks with his Norwegian counterpart were extensive and positive.

According to his words, the talks were about the continuation of the cooperation in the field of military medicine and military education, as well as on energy efficiency, the field in which Norway is European and also world leader. On that occasion, the necessity for the establishment of the new regime of the energy efficiency and energy savings in the Serbian Defence Ministry and the whole Government was underscored.
- At the moment, there is also an interest in joint training and further participation in peace-keeping operations, above all, participation of our medical teams, and we believe that next year would be marked by joint activities – said Minister Sutanovac, stressing that common experiences are equally important for both sides.
Expressing his content over successful meeting with his counterpart, newly appointed Defence Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, Espen Barth Eide emphasised that Norway and Serbia have close cooperation in many fields, but that the cooperation in the defence field is the closest. According to Minister Eide, this cooperation has been long and lasted through the whole period of reforms in the defence system of the Republic of Serbia.

“We have focused our special attention on the development of our joint capacities, on the partnership in the field of military medicine, whose results were shown in our joint mission of the United Nations in Chad”, said Eide, adding that the cooperation in the field of military medicine has been very close, as well as, that the experts from both countries are compatible, which he had a chance of witnessing during his visit to the mission in Chad, where he also witnessed their expertise and social and friendly relations.

Minister Eide congratulated Minister Sutanovac and his team, as well as Defence Ministry, which proved to be an institution which is a leader in the process of reform in Serbia, and he stressed that this success should serve as an example to follow.

“It is very important that we continue our cooperation in all fields, especially in the field of European integrations. We live in difficult times, and it is therefore important that we keep close to each other and that we work on the European cooperation, since we know very well what the alternative, which would be detrimental to all of us, could be”, said Norwegian Minister of Defence.

Speaking about the importance of the cooperation of the two countries, Minister Sutanovac also reminded of the statement of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway Jens Stoltenberg, who said that the “pillar of cooperation between Serbia and Norway is the cooperation in the field of defence”.

ANSWERS TO JOUNRNALISTS’ QUESTIONS

When it comes to the current events in the north of Kosovo, according to Minister Sutanovac, experiences from the 90s teach us that the outcome of blockades was never and nowhere positive for Serbian people and that it always caused worse situation and worse position of Serbs in those areas.

- - President Tadic’s message is very brave, in a state-building manner and above all it should enable stabilisation in that part of Kosovo where Serbs are endangered the most – Minister Sutanovac stressed, adding that Serbia cannot solve such problems if it is torn between the blockades and the logs, both in Brussels and in Kosovo. If we want to progress and sufficiently become stronger, it is necessary that everybody follows the state leadership, and no local leader should put the interests of his municipality above the state interests.

According to his words, the security situation is at a considerably critical level, and the Minister used the opportunity to appeal to all those in contact with the KFOR and NATO representatives, not to use force to clear blockades, for which we think should be removed so there would be no escalation of conflicts.

- Unfortunately, there are those whose interest is that Serbia is halted on its path towards European integrations and they use the opportunity to cause conflicts on those barricades, and in that way prevent further progress of our country towards the European family. I believe that the large majority of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija want to have a decent and peaceful life and are devoted, above all, to the only possible solution of the problem, and that is discussion – Minister stressed, adding that Serbian Armed Forces, act based on their authority and the international agreements signed during the 90s and insist through their associates in KFOR that there be no use of force.

Answering the question on the Norwegian stand regarding the north of Kosovo issue, Minister Eide said that the President Tadic’s statement was very important, and that the blockades would not bring anything good to Serbia in its European path. He expressed his conviction that all those who maintain the blockade look in the past, so he sent his appeal to them to be more flexible in solving that issue, since the common interest of both sides is that the problem be overcome, so everybody could move forward and cooperate in a constructive manner.

Answering the question on the Norwegian stand regarding the north of Kosovo issue, Minister Eide said that the President Tadic’s statement was very important, and that the blockades would not bring anything good to Serbia in its European path. He expressed his conviction that all those who maintained the blockade were looking towards the past, so he sent his appeal to them to be more flexible in solving that issue, since the common interest of both sides is that the problem be overcome, so everybody could move forward and cooperate in a constructive manner.

Answering the question about the reactions of the inhabitants of Kosovo and Metohija on President Tadic’s statement about the barricades in Kosovo and the alternative state solutions if the citizens’ reply would not be positive, Minister Sutanovac said that in times when the state leadership takes the responsibility for the solution to the existing problems there are those who do not want to see that solution.

“Those who, through their one-party and daily-political interests, want to damage negotiations and disable Serbia on its path towards Europe. Inhabitants of Kosovo and Metohija have to know that Serbia never gave up on them or on Kosovo and Metohija. Today, all those who receive salaries there, including the municipality mayors, receive them from the budget of the Republic of Serbia and this Government. I believe they have to behave in the same way as other municipality mayors in Serbia do. In case they behave contrary to that, the responsibility for their historical and current behaviour will be their own. Currently, the most important thing is to secure peace. If there is no peace, those who reach such decision, will have endure the life down there”, Sutanovac stressed.

According to his words, the state cannot and should not use force, as it is final time for the experiences from the past to be utilized.

“It is time for us to call ourselves to senses. It is not by chance that there are four symbols on our coat-of-arms meaning – only unity will save a Serb. The one who is the most responsible should be listened to. At this moment, these are the Government and the President of the Republic of Serbia”, Defence Minister said.

Speaking about reforms in the Serbian Armed Forces, Minister said that the reform was conducted in the most efficient way and much better that in the majority of countries which have become NATO members long time ago. Reform was performed following the highest standard and that is the only proper way so that Serbian Armed Forces become serious, modern and organised in the best possible way.

“Today we have three times more candidates than vacancies for certain volunteer positions, which is a confirmation of the fact that the Serbian Armed Forces have restored their reputation, which was the most important issue for us. A professional soldier is operationally much more serious and less demanding compared to the regular soldier, which is good direction for Serbian Armed Forces to reach the position on which it once was”; said Sutanovac.

On question about the concrete aid of the Kingdom of Norway to the Serbian Armed Forces, and the plans for participation of Serbian Armed Forces in peace-keeping mission next year, Minister answered that Norway has been one of the biggest donors to Serbia and to the Ministry of Defence.

“Up to now, Norway helped us with around EUR 20 million. We also have several donations from other countries. We expect Turkish donation in the course of this and at the beginning of next year. It is important that those countries have recognised the defence system as a development capacity and they want to help us finish the reform”, Sutanovac said, assessing that removal of the pensions from the system of defence, through which the budget would be reduced, will not jeopardise the functioning of the Ministry. According to him, that will only contribute to the realization of the understanding that the Armed Forces’ budget is not that big and that it is among the lowest in the region, with regard to the size of the country, and that its increase with time is necessary.

“The Ministry of Defence’s budget is expected to be around RSD 50 billion. The reform of the system of pensions is a good reform move as well. Army pensioners have not lost any of the rights they had before, and I believe that their needs could only be better satisfied. We expect that our health fund would even be more efficient, and consequently the military health care would be at the highest level, which was one of topics of our talks with Norwegian representatives”, Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac concluded.