28.01.2014.

Minister Rodic visits the United States of America

On the first day of the official working visit, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia Nebojsa Rodic met Secretary of Defense of the United States Charles Hagel at the Pentagon.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the political and security situation in the region and both sides welcomed the results achieved in the development of regional and bilateral military cooperation and stressed that in the forthcoming period, despite the financial crisis, they will continue its further promotion, and building the relation between the two countries as a whole.

Secretary of Defense Hagel congratulated the beginning of the process of accession negotiations of the Republic of Serbia and welcomed the efforts that the Government of the Republic of Serbia is investing in the success of the dialogue and normalization of relations with Pristina.

Defence Minister Rodic thanked the U.S. Government for their help and support through the security assistance programmes, especially expressed through programmes of education and training, modernization and equipping of the declared units of the Serbian Armed Forces, further development and equipping of the Centre for training of units for multinational operations in the South base and the State Partnership Program with the Ohio National Guard. He introduced his interlocutor to the current level of engagement of the Serbian Armed Forces in multinational operations under the auspices of the United Nations and the European Union, as well as to plans and priorities for future engagement. He particularly emphasized the importance of the "Humanitarian Assistance" projects that were positively accepted by the general public in the Republic of Serbia, and certainly contribute to the further promotion of the overall relations between the two countries. One of the most important resources which will enhance cooperation in the field of defence in the period to come are the capacities and expertise in the field of military medicine.

Minister Rodic marked the following priorities for future cooperation: continuation of the joint exercises and training, modernization and equipping of the declared units of the Serbian Armed Forces, as well as education and training of the members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces. In this context, he stressed the importance of the exercises PLATINUM WOLF 14 and 15, and LOGEX 15 in the Republic of Serbia, which is not only an indicator of successful bilateral military cooperation, but also progress and its evolution into a regional character.

Emphasizing the importance of the already started integrative processes towards the EU and the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, the necessity of maintaining a peaceful and stable security environment in the region was underlined, especially in the territory of Kosovo, whose disruption could seriously disrupt these processes. As a prerequisite for achieving this common goal, the importance of maintaining the current level of engagement of KFOR and the continuity of the established models of mutual cooperation has been pointed out.

Secretary of Defense Hagel emphasized that he appreciates bravery of the Government and its First Deputy Prime Minister because of the political decision of holding early parliamentary elections in Serbia, which is a "wise decision that should confirm that the will of the people is directed towards the current energetic and determined reform processes". He stressed the importance of obvious and visible improvement of regional cooperation and the recognised role of the Republic of Serbia, particularly the Ministry of Defence. He pointed out that he values the proactive approach of the Republic of Serbia in ensuring stable and predictable security environment and support to the integration processes in the region.

Defence Minister Rodic and Secretary of Defense Hagel signed the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the United States regarding security measures for the protection of classified military information, which, as both agreed, will strongly contribute to further improvement of cooperation in the defence field in qualitative terms. The said agreement will mostly contribute to the development of cooperation in the fields of intelligence and security, and scientific research activities, and have impact on the quality of training and joint exercise activities of the Serbian Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Prior to the meeting at the Pentagon, Minister Rodic, with military honours, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War at the Military Cemetery in Arlington.