17.03.2015.
Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan signed with teh Republic of Cyprus
The first bilateral defence consultations between the ministries of defence of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Cyprus were held in Belgrade, March 15-17. Head of the International Military Cooperation Department Battleship Captain Milan Konjikovac and Head of the Department for the defence policy and international relations at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus Lieutenant Colonel Konstantinos Fotiu, in an open dialogue, exchanged opinions about current military security issues, analyzed cooperation in the field of defence and considered ways for its improvement. Both sides stressed the need for continuity of high-level visits.
Battleship Captain Konjikovac introduced his interlocutor with the Serbia’s EU accession process. He thanked for the support that the Republic of Cyprus gives Serbia when it comes to preserving territorial integrity of Kosovo and Metohija, and for their treatment of SAF members deployed in UNFICYP mission in Cyprus. He informed his interlocutor on present achievements of the reform of the defence system of the Republic of Serbia, on priorities for its chairing over OSCE and the current deployment of SAF members in multinational operations.
Head of the International Military Cooperation Department presented capacities of the Military and Military Medical Academy, CBRN partnership center in Krusevac and the South base, and the possibilities for improvement of military economic cooperation. He agreed with his interlocutor on the necessity of sustained continuity of high-level visits.
Lieutenant Colonel Fotiu suggested that the content and the intensity of cooperation in the field of defence should be adapted to the current moment and needs of the two defence systems. He restated the principled support to the Republic of Serbia in relation to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija and thanked for the remarkably professional relation of SAF members deployed in the multinational operation in Cyprus. Particular attention of the Cypriot side will be dedicated to considering options for establishing military educational cooperation, cooperation of special force units and exchange of rich experience of the two armed forces.
At the end of the meeting, the Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan was signed between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus for 2015.
