27.01.2012.
Talks about cooperation between Italy and Serbia
Ministers of Defense of Serbia and Italy Dragan Sutanovac and Giampaolo Di Paola, respectively met in Rome to discuss joint participation of the Italian and Serbian forces in UN and EU peacekeeping missions, as well as the defense industries of the two countries in the markets of Africa, Asia, the Far East.Sutanovac, who is paying a working visit to Rome, told Tanjug that Italy takes commanding just a great peace-keeping mission in Lebanon, where about 1,000 Italian soldiers are engaged.
"We discussed the possibility of joint participation in this mission, where the Serbian Army now has six officers. On the other hand, we want to participate in peacekeeping missions of the EU, or in Operation Atlanta (Somalia), where Italy has its own ships. We want our naval officers and special forces involved in the fight against piracy, "said the minister.
He added that there is a long tradition of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense.
"Now we have established new conditions for cooperation, especially in the field of education, training, to our cadets and officers and special forces," he said and added that the talks with his Italian counterpart focused on cooperation and defense industries, and opportunities for joint marketing of products to third markets.
According to him, the goal is to be jointly produced by Military Institute is working with Italian partner sells to large markets such as Africa, Asia, Far East, South America.
"Serbia has traditionally had been present on these markets and we believe that together we can could produce a large number of products to meet the demands of our customers," said the minister.
In a statement to Tanjug, Di Paolo, following his meeting with Sutanovac pointed out that the two countries have had a long-term and special relationship that would continue to grow and strengthen.He added that in the future exchanges in the areas of training and education of military personnel would continue, adding that he considered the possibility that Serbia would take part in future operations in Italy is carried out at the EU or the UN.
"We are more than willing to, when the Serbian government decides so, to work together," said Di Paolo.
He added that Italy strongly supports Serbia's Euro-Atlantic family of institutions.
"We look forward to this, we strongly believe in this and we will work within the EU and bilaterally as well," said Di Paolo.
The minister added that Italy strongly supports Serbia's path towards EU, expressing his hope that Serbia would be granted candidate status in March, which, as noted, was the most important foreign policy goal of Serbia.
During his visit to Rome Sutanovac visited the Joint Command of the Army of Italy, where the visit will end tonight closing the Serb Cultural Month event in Rome, where Italian audience was able to see Serbian cultural heritage and the arts.
