25.02.2014.

Minister Rodic visits the Hellenic Republic

Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia Nebojsa Rodic have talked today in Athens with Minister of Defence of the Hellenic Republic Dimitris Avramopoulos.

Minister Rodic expressed his gratitude for the continuous support and assistance by the Hellenic Republic on Serbia's path to the EU membership. He also wished success and achieving of all the set goals during the Greek Chairmanship-in-Office of the European Union, at a time of severe economic crisis and the unstable environment which Europe currently faces. Minister Rodic pointed out that the talks with his Greek counterpart were very successful and effective, and that a firm decision has been made to strongly boost bilateral military cooperation through joint engagement in several areas.

The following activities of great importance have been highlighted:

1. Signing of the Technical Agreement on using the services of Athens Multinational Sealift Coordination Centre (AMSCC) for transportation of Serbian forces to peace support operations;
2. Signing of the Technical Agreement on joint engagement onboard Greek ships in the European Operation ATALANTA in the waters of the Horn of Africa;
3. Decision on the exchange of officers of our armed forces in the post-graduate levels of professional development in military educational institutions of both countries;
4. They particularly analyzed the involvement of the Serbian Armed Forces in the EU battle group HELBROC, which is operational in the first half of this year. Affirmative geographical aspect of the group and its political nature would represent a significant benefit to our country and our military.

"In the forthcoming period we will try to find the modalities of cooperation also in the field of defence industry, which is of great importance for both countries in a time of economic crisis and mutual efforts to provide jobs and a decent life for our citizens", Rodic emphasized. He

expressed his gratitude for the support and presence of the members of the Hellenic Armed Forces in the annual commemorative ceremonies and the Serbian military memorials in Thessaloniki and Corfu island, as well as the willingness to accept our representative who is an observer at the command of the regional and international unit SEEBRIG in Larissa, Greece.

"At the same time, the Republic of Serbia ис keeping the memory of 358 Greek soldiers who were buried in a common grave in Pirot with Christian piety and devotion", Rodic said.

Defence Minister Nebojsa Rodic has been received today also by the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias.