11.11.2015.

Military Memorial Medal presented to former Russian defence envoy

Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic presented the Military Memorial Medal to former envoy of Defence of the Russian Federation Colonel Valery Igorevich Volkov, for outstanding contribution to the defence system and promotion of military cooperation, which in the previous period reached a level of political relations between the two countries.

The ceremony was also attended by Ambassador of the Russian Federation Alexander Chepurin.

Minister Gasic pointed out that during the period of duty of Colonel Volkov, cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence essentially improved, in the spirit of the traditionally good relations, to probably the highest level so far. This cooperation is being developed further, in line with the Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed by the presidents of the two countries two years ago in Sochi.

Gasic particularly thanked for the support that Russia offered Serbia to prevent the reception of so-called Kosovo in UNESCO, as well as in all previous efforts to preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia.

It was underlined that all outstanding issues are to be resolved through diplomatic means, with full respect for international law, on which Serbia will continue to strongly insist during its chairmanship over OSCE.

Although EU is a key foreign policy goal of our country, Minister Gasic said that Serbia as a military neutral country will not bow to pressure to impose sanctions on Russia, because it seeks an independent foreign policy which should protect the interests of the Serbian people.