22.08.2014.

Minister Gasic in Cyprus

In the course of his visit to members of the Armed Forces of Serbia deployed in the multinational operation of the United Nations in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic met with this country’s Minister of Defence Christoforos Fokaides.

During the meeting, one of the conclusions was that that relations between Serbia and Cyprus had always been friendly, with no unresolved issues, and based on mutual respect and cooperation. Last year, governments of the two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding, aimed at improving economic, trade and financial cooperation.

The ministers agreed that the cooperation in the field of defence is well-developed, especially in military medicine and military education, and that the capacities of Serbia’s defence industry could be a good foundation for improving military economic cooperation.

- Cyprus is one of the countries that undoubtedly support Serbia on its way to the European Union, and it gives full support in preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija – Minister Gasic stressed. He also pointed out that our country believes that the solution to the Cyprus issue should be sought in adherence to the UN resolutions, and that it should be a result of an agreement between the two communities.

Minister of Defence of Cyprus Christoforos Fokaides stressed that the relations between Serbia and Cyprus are based on strong historical bounds, mutual trust and joint interests, and that the values we share on many points of regional and international character are aimed at promoting peace, security and the International Law.

- Assuming the near beginning of negotiations with the European Union, your country has entered a new era. Cyprus supports Serbia’s European path, encourages it to continue adjusting to the EU standards and hopes that its accession will be completed as soon as possible – Minister Fokaides said. He added that Serbia’s solidarity with Cyprus has been actualized with its support to achieving a sustainable and functional solution to the Cyprus issue, and with invaluable deployment of our soldiers in the UN peacekeeping forces in Cyprus.

Earlier during the day, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic met with Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim and Commander of the UNFICYP force Major General Kristin Lund.

One of the topics was the current situation in the Armed Forces of Serbia, where Gasic reminded that members of our military are deployed in eight multinational peacekeeping operations, six under the mandate of the United Nations and two missions of the European Union.

- A growing number of invitations for Serbian soldiers to participate in peacekeeping missions show the scope of trust in the Armed Forces of Serbia and its members – Minster Gasic stressed, adding that we intend to maintain good relations with both the East and the West.

Special Representative of the UN Secretary for Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim said that soldiers of the Republic of Serbia are deployed in the most challenging parts in the buffer zone, adding that she is content with their performance, which shows that there is a good pattern for their training.

Later on, Gasic will visit members of the Armed Forces situated in “Stefan Nemanja” military base.

Currently, 46 members of SAF (37 infantry squad members) are deployed in the UNFICYR UN multinational operation in Cyprus.