20.11.2015.

Ministers Gasic and Dacic met with NATO Secretary General

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic and Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic met today with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the course of his visit to Belgrade.

It was concluded that the visit of NATO Secretary General to Serbia is very important for both sides, and that it represents a major step forward in relations between Serbia and NATO.

Ministers and Gasic and Dacic expressed satisfaction with the decision of NATO on the full relaxation of the Air Security Zone which is evidence of partnership relations between Serbia and NATO and a confirmation of excellent cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR.

During the talks they discussed the further advancement of cooperation between Serbia and NATO through the Partnership for Peace Programme, the current situation in Kosovo, regional cooperation and security challenges.

Dacic stressed that Serbia sees room for further improvement of cooperation with NATO within the framework of available PfP mechanisms in accordance with the policy of military neutrality, as well as our commitment to contribute to strengthening regional and global security.

Ministers Dacic and Gasic particularly stressed the importance of unimpaired presence of KFOR troops in Kosovo and Metohija and the guarantee of NATO regarding the presence of so-called Kosovo security forces in northern Kosovo, as well as the preservation of Serbian cultural and religious heritage.

Minister Dacic informed the NATO Secretary General on the results of our OSCE chairmanship and Minister Gasic informed him on the results achieved in military cooperation with NATO and our engagement and plans for the future deployment in the UN and EU multinational operations.

Both sides agreed that terrorism poses a great threat to the whole world and that it is necessary to further engage all international actors in combating this phenomenon.