25.11.2015.

Improving cooperation with Armenia

On the second day of the visit to the Republic of Armenia Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic spoke with Armenian Minister of Defence Colonel General Seyran Ohanyan.

The ministers agreed that the relations between the two countries have no open issues and that there are good conditions for the establishment and promotion of defence cooperation, especially in the exchange of experiences from deployments in peacekeeping operations, and cooperation in military education and military medicine.

Minister Gasic thanked for the principled support that the Armenian side provides for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, which was confirmed during the vote against the reception of so-called "Kosovo" in UNESCO.

- Serbia is a sovereign state that leads an independent policy and establishes cooperation based on mutual respect and appreciation with our partners in the East and the West, which in practice proves our proclaimed military neutrality - Minister Gasic added.

Following the talks, the ministers unanimously condemned the actions of the so-called "Islamic State" and terrorist acts that hit the citizens of France, Mali, Russia, Nigeria, China, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other states, and agreed that it is necessary to unite all the forces in the defence from extremism of any kind.

Commenting on the current migrant crisis, Gasic emphasized the humane and responsible attitude of the Republic of Serbia towards migrants, for which Serbia has been praised by the entire international community. Minister Gasic added that in the coming period we will closely monitor events in the region and beyond, and that our response will be swift and efficient and in the best national interest.

At the end of the conversation, the defence ministers signed the Joint Statement of Intent for the swift signing of the Agreement on cooperation in the field of defence.

After the meeting, Minister Gasic laid a wreath at the monument in the Memorial Centre in Yerevan.

By the end of the day, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia will also meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandian, Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Hermine Naghdalyan and President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.