02.07.2015.

Visit of Italian Minister of Defence

Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic met today with Minister of Defence of the Republic of Italy Senator Roberta Pinotti at the building of the old General Staff.

During the today’s meeting, Ministers Gasic and Pinotti discussed the bilateral military cooperation of Serbia and Italy and deployments in multinational operations, with special emphasis on joint deployment in UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.

According to Minister Gasic, they also discussed the improvement of cooperation in the fields of military education and exchange of members of the two Armed Forces in the future period, military medical cooperation, joint training, and particularly the joint exercises of our Military Police with “Carabinieri” of the Italian Armed Forces.

- The second part of the talks was dedicated to the exchange of opinions on joint deployment in peacekeeping operations in the next period, because we have had very good cooperation within the joint contingent in Lebanon – Minister Gasic stressed.

He also particularly stressed the talks on special purpose industry, stating that, in the future period, by September, a new law on the production of armaments and military equipment would be adopted in Serbia, which was expected to facilitate foreign investments in the factories of Serbian special purpose industry, and joint presence in third markets.

Lastly, Minister Gasic assessed that today’s talks were a continuation of the continuity of high-level meetings between the officials of the two countries.

Commenting on the importance of her visit to our country, Minister Pinotti said that it was marked by the friendship between the two countries.

- The relations between our countries are generally very intensive, but also very well developed in the field of defence. Italian soldiers are deployed in peacekeeping operations together with Serbian soldiers, and we also discussed the need to improve the cooperation in the field of education and special purpose industry – Italian Minister of Defence stressed.

According to her, Serbia is taking significant steps forward and Italy fully supports its progress towards EU membership.

- Serbia in Europe is a guarantor of security in the entire Balkan region, but also a guarantor of security in Europe and consequently in Italy – Minister Pinotti said, adding that Italy would fully commit to development of these relations. As she said, this had also been proven by the recent visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who had chosen Serbia for one of his first official visits.

Minister Pinotti concluded that, in these times of many wars and terrorist attacks, it was very important for Serbia to be a place of peace and stability.