10.04.2013.
Cooperation with Austria
As а part of regular bilateral defence consultations, the delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, led by Assistant Minister for Defence Policy Miroslav Jovanovic, had talks in Vienna with a delegation of the Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports of the Republic of Austria, led by Security Policy Director in the Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports of the Republic of Austria, Major General Johann Pucher.Both sides expressed satisfaction with the stable political relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Austria, as neutral states, which is characterized by intensive high-level meetings. They discussed the modalities of possible synergies in participation and joint engagement of members of the two Ministries of Defence in multinational operations. During the talks, they exchanged opinions on the political and security implications of the global economic crisis on the region of Southeast Europe.
Active involvement in the concept of the European Union Common Security and Defence Policy contributes to the improvement of the foreign policy position of the Republic of Serbia. The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia has completed negotiations for the conclusion of the Administrative Agreement with the European Defence Agency and expects its conclusion by the end of the month.
Austrian experiences from participating in the missions are of great importance for Serbia which is determined to intensify its participation in multinational operations. Defence cooperation with the Republic of Austria has been enhanced with the greatest number of activities from the non-NATO countries.
General Pucher e
mphasized that regular bilateral defence consultations confirm a high level of understanding between the two countries and that the Republic of Serbia is one of the most important and reliable partners of the Republic of Austria. He stressed the importance of cooperation between the two ministries of defence under the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union as well as within the Partnership for Peace.The Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports of the Republic of Austria will continue to provide assistance in defence reform and approximation of the Republic of Serbia to European integration and its involvement in regional and wider initiatives.
During his visit to the Republic of Austria the Assistant Minister for Defence Policy met with the Ambassador Heide Marie Girer, Head of Department for SEE in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria to discuss the security situation in the region, the European perspective of the Republic of Serbia and possibilities for improving the bilateral cooperation with Austria.
Separate meetings were held with Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Vienna Goran Bradic and Head of Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the OSCE, Ambassador Vuk Zugic to enhance bilateral cooperation with Austria and create conditions for the quality preparation of Serbian OSCE Chairmanship in 2015.
