24.10.2013.

Meeting between Generals Dikovic and De Rousier

Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic spoke today at the "Banjica 2" barracks with the Chairman of the EU Military Committee General Patrick de Rousier.

On this occasion, General Dikovic said that during the talks they will discuss the reform of the security system on the path of the accession of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union.

- We are particularly interested in the experiences that General De Roussier wishes to share with us regarding the involvement of the members of our Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense in the systems of global security managed by the EU – General Dikovic said noting that General De Roussier provides full support to the intentions of our military to participate in the EU missions, defence reform and accession of the Republic of Serbia to the EU.

Expressing his gra

titude to General Dikovic for his invitation, General De Roussier emphasized that apart from the mentioned theme, the issues related to the challenges faced by Serbia and the EU are also in the focus of today's meeting.

- As the Chairperson of the EU Military Committee, I am representing 28 Chiefs of Defence of the EU Member Countries and we jointly provide advice when it comes to security issues for all entities of the EU, General De Russia said, adding that he is also a military adviser to Catherine Ashton and contact person to all operational commanders in EU missions. With that in mind, he assessed that the contribution of Serbia is very important, especially in the EU mission in Somalia, as well as in the fight against piracy in Operation Atlanta.

According to him, today's talks will be related also to the partnerships, because it is of primary importance for the EU, where partnership means interaction with friends, to include Serbia, of course.

- We believe that this is a win-win situation, because partners bring with them their history and expertise in the military fields, and we think that we should have reinforced partnerships with Member States and with the neighbouring states. – General De Roussier pointed out announcing yet more intensified cooperation in the scope of the military issues, which would be of beneficial for both parties.

During the three-day visit, the delegation led by General De Roussier will visit the Military Museum, the School of National Defence, and the CBRN Personnel Training Centre in Krusevac.