Ministry of defence Republic of Serbia
 
22.03.2012.

Communique



At the meeting of the Board of Directors of the European Defence Agency (EDA), the defense ministers of all EU member states have made a unanimous decision to start accession of the Republic of Serbia to the administrative arrangement with the EU Agency. High Representative for Foreign and Security policy was mandated to start negotiations immediately, while it was announced that as early as next week, the Director of EDA would provide necessary information about the negotiations themselves.

The European Defence Agency aims at developing of defense capabilities in the field of crisis management and promotion of cooperation in the field of armaments, but also to strengthen the European industrial and technological base in the field of defense industry, to create a competitive market for armaments and equipment and improve research.

The request for inclusion in the EDA, which we submitted mid last year after the signing of two agreements with the EU on the exchange of classified information and involvement in the mission of the Union, came as a surprise to many. MoD has never filed the request only in the interest of achieving the basic strategic goal of Serbia, that is, the accession to the EU, but primarily in cooperation and activities of the European Defence Agency we see room for strengthening the national defense industry.

Our participation in the EDA is the best opportunity of use of existing capacity defense industry, and its empowerment. Joint projects with EU Member States in research and development of weapons and military equipment, using experience and product lines of Serbian factories in the field of defense industry, will open the door and a large market of Europe defense markets and in third markets. This, of course, means and opportunity to expand production of its kind in Serbia, not only opening new jobs but also new factories, which is the most important task for us all the institutions of the Republic of Serbia. Also, the research potential of Serbian Institute, both military and civilian, will be much more involved in the European research community, and so we will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and inventiveness.

The partnership with the EDA opens the possibility of greater potential use of the defense industry and its improvement. These integration processes enable Serbian military industry to emerge to new markets, while by using research and development programs and projects EDA opens the possibility for further development of military technology.
 
MOD
Ministry of defence Republic of Serbia, Bircaninova 5 street, Belgrade
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