05.04.2013.
Enhancing cooperation with Germany
Assistant Minister for Defence Policy Miroslav Jovanovic has talked today with the delegation of the German Federal Ministry of Defence, headed by Dr Ulrich Schlie, Director of the Planning and Advisory Staff.During the talks, both sides agreed that political relations between Serbia and Germany are following an upward trend and in the last period are characterized by meetings and consultations at a high level. Defence cooperation has been good, but it has been mutually agreed that there is room for qualitative and quantitative improvement through bilateral and multilateral activities.
Assistant Minister Jovanovic emphasized that Serbia expects from the Federal Republic of Germany as the key and most important state of the European Union, the support and understanding in its way to further European integration. Participating in the talks with Pristina in Brussels, Serbia has expressed its willingness to compromise in the dialogue, but not humiliation. As the eighth round of negotiations did not bring anything to Serbia, we expect from the EU to clearly show that the goal is not the denial of Serbian national interests, but finding appropriate solution for a better future for all inhabitants of Kosovo and Metohija.
On our part, the assessment was made that Serbia is not just part of the territory of Europe, but the member of Europe. The aim of the activities of the Serbian Government is achieving the EU standards, with the active involvement of the Ministry of Defence on the implementation of these plans. The Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces are ready, in cooperation and through joint activities with KFOR, to ensure a safe environment for all citizens of Serbia.
Defence cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany is good. It is mainly focused on the field of military medicine, military history, traffic and transportation, training for participation in multinational operations, as well as education and training. The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia expects intensifying of the cooperation in the forthcoming period.Dr Schlie stressed that the meeting of defence ministers opened the opportunity for enhancement of the overall relations between the two countries, the convergence of the views and attitudes concerning contemporary security challenges, threats and risks in the global and regional level.
The normalization of relations with Pristina is the most important condition for further progress in the European integration process. The dialogue is the only way of solving problems, and all the stakeholders should work together and, with flexibility and pragmatism, reach a just and acceptable solution.
