10.05.2012.

Integration and the contribution of the Southeast Europe to EU common security and defense policy

In the House of Guards in Topcider an international conference "Integration and the contribution of the Southeast Europe to EU common security and defense policy " started today.

The conference is part of the "Security and defense aspects of the Republic of Serbia’s accession to the EU" implemented by the Ministry of Defence of Serbia and the bearer of implementation of the Strategic Research Institute.

Expressing satisfaction that the Ministry of Defence is for the first time hosting such a conference, Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac,in opening the meeting, said that the Ministry of Defence of the EU and the regional initiative are recognized as credible partners for such an important topic as security.

- The main question is how each individual country in our neighborhood can understand and assist in achieving one of the most important European values, security of its citizens. Safety is an important prerequisite for economic, commercial and any other development and the basis for a better life and better future for everyone - the defense minister said, adding that the presence of so many representatives of countries prove partnership, and the importance of security system for the region.

He stressed the importance of Serbia’s joining the European Union as a moment of historical importance just like for any other country in the region.

- Not only because we will thus become a successful member of an elite club of developed and democratic countries, but primarily as coming closer to membership will reform our country , thus enabling us to become a successful part of the family of democratic societies - Sutanovac said, adding that the internal changes will be painful and unpopular, but they are necessary to our society and the state to be harmonized with the best European standards in order for Serbia to become stable in terms of security.

According to him, the aim of the conference is to exchange views of all relevant aspects of the common security and defense policy, so as to contribute to better regional cooperation in security, in addition to promoting European integration.

- Ministry of Defence is the first Serbian ministry, which will open a new chapter in our relations with the European Union. After two years of hard work and dedication, understanding of European standards in security and defense, internal situation analysis of legislative and administrative procedures, the Ministry of Defence has prepared a platform for negotiations on Serbia's EU membership - said Sutanovac pointing out that after extensive preparations a conclusion was drawn as to how in the years to come the road to alignment with Europe would look like and what the best way is to protect security and defense interests.

Thus, concluded the Minister, the ministry has shown a willingness to start negotiations, but it actually comes to a higher purpose, primarily because we want the general progress that leads to membership in the EU and EU standardization.

- We are convinced that a change in values is necessary, peace, stability, democracy, tolerance, rule of law and respect human and minority rights is the only way to progress and a life in the EU - said the minister of defense.

Attendees were addressed by the Head of EU Delegation in Serbia Vincent Deger, director of RACVIAC Todorcevski Nikola, and State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Tanja Miscevic as project manager.

Speaking about the importance of security issues, head of EU delegation Degert stressed the necessity of their consideration in this region and the world that is constantly changing. He said that Serbia, by the past, time has come to a country that still participates in the implementation of security by engaging their members in missions around the world.

He said positive steps in this direction and is reflected in the adoption of important documents, such as the Agreement on the exchange and protection of classified information, as well as agreements on participation in EU missions, but the process of obtaining membership in the European Defence Agency.

Director of RACVIAC, Nikola Todorcevski, welcomed the fact that Serbia is now a candidate for EU membership, because that is the driving force that pulls forward.

Countries participating in the project, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives of EU countries (Austria, France, Portugal, Romania and Bulgaria) as well as regional initiatives (RACVIAC and EUFOR, Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The European Commission has supported the conference as it aims at supporting the integration of SEE countries into the Union and its constituent part, the common defense and security policy - Common Security and Defence Policy - CSDP.

The contribution of our country can be fully seen by the engagement of the Serbian Army in operations mandated by the United Nations and the European Union. Currently, 68 members of the Serbian Armed Forces are engaged in five missions under United Nations mandate, and the two missions of the European Union. It was the last engagement of Serbian officers in the medical mission in EUTM Uganda which was rated as a significant contribution of our country to EU’s stabilization efforts in Somalia and Uganda.

Addressing the media, Sutanovac said that the Ministry of Defence has so far received only positive reviews from the European Commission, and that the ministry had completed a platform upon which to enter negotiations on Serbia's membership in the EU.

- This is the first ministry in the Serbian government that is willing to join the European Union institutions. Ministerial Council of Defense Ministers of the EU has decided to begin negotiations on accessing the Ministry of Defence to the European Defence Agency, which has marked the beginning of a new chapter in relations between the EU and the ministry, the minister said, adding that the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Army went a step forward, because we have representatives in the two EU peacekeeping missions, which made a historic breakthrough in relations between Serbia and the European Union.

He added that the Ministry of Defence, appreciating the strategic orientation of Serbia to strengthen regional relations and further cooperation in the direction of Serbia’s joining the European Union, all the laws he proposed to the Serbian Government and Parliament ant the time to adapt to EU standards.