30.05.2014.
Defence Minister at Security Forum in Budva
Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic has attended today the 4th To Be Secure (2BS) Forum in Budva.
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Assessing the importance of participation in the forum which brought together about 400 participants, representatives of international security organizations, academic institutions, policy makers and experts on security issues, Minister Gasic pointed out that it is very important for the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces to be present at events addressing the security situation in the region and beyond.Serbia considers that cooperation in Partnership for Peace is sufficient framework for its cooperation with NATO. Enhancing regional cooperation remains a priority, and increasing presence in peacekeeping operations is the goal this year when it is planned to have participation of more than 500 members of the Serbian Armed Forces in Multinational Operations of the UN and the EU. This raises the operational capabilities of the military and strengthens the international reputation of Serbia.
On the sidelines of the forum in Budva, Minister Gasic met with Miroslav Lajcak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia. Gasic thanked the Slovak Minister for the assistance that his country sent to Serbia in the catastrophic floods. It was assessed that the Embassy of Slovakia successfully fulfills its role of a NATO Contact Point Embassy. They also discussed the issues of bilateral cooperation which particular emphasis on participation in peacekeeping missions and cooperation in military education and health care.
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In a meeting with Milica Pejanovic Đurisic, Minister of Defence of Montenegro, Minister Gasic first expressed his gratitude for the prompt and professional assistance provided by teams of the Montenegrin Armed Forces in defence from floods in Serbia and help to the affected population.The discussion outlined several initiatives for promoting cooperation, especially in military educational and military medical fields, air force and river flotilla. Minister Gasic thanked for the invitation to attend security forum in Budva and invited Minister Pejanovic Đurisic to visit Serbia.
Organizer of the 2BS Forum in Budva is the Atlantic Council of Montenegro, and at today's opening ceremony of the 4th 2BS Forum, the participants were welcomed by Filip Vujanovic, President of Montenegro, Sue Brown, U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro and Dr. Savo Kentera, President of the Atlantic Council of Montenegro.
The fourth 2BS Forum under the title "NATO in the 21st Century: New Threats and New Theatres" addresses some of the major challenges and threats to international and regional security. The two-day conference will discuss the NATO open door policy, Afghanistan after the withdrawal of international troops, combating terrorism and other important issues related to security.
