18.03.2016.
Continued support of the Kingdom of Norway to defence reform
Bilateral defence consultations between the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of Norway were held in Oslo during which Head of the International Military Cooperation Department Navy Captain Milan Konjikovac and the Deputy Director General for Security Policy at the Norwegian Ministry of Defence Nina Borgen Bakkevoll agreed that the intensive defence cooperation is based on the traditionally good and friendly relations between the two countries. Having in mind the importance of the continuity of high-level meetings for determining the strategic guidelines for future cooperation, they agreed on the visit of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia to Norway in the forthcoming period.
The defence cooperation with Norway is among the top priorities of the Republic of Serbia, Navy Captain Konjikovac said and pointed out that, thanks to substantial expert and financial support in the field of military medicine, military education and defence planning, the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces are positioned as a reliable partner internationally. He emphasized the importance of enhancing the military-to-military cooperation and continued support for vital projects of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia.Nina Borgen Bakkevoll stressed the key role of the Republic of Serbia for the regional stability. She reiterated the readiness of the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Norway to continue supporting the defence reform, through the initiated and the new projects, exchange of experiences in the field of engagement in multinational operations, as well as in the framework of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy.
In particular, they expressed readiness to share the experiences from their engagement in the EU battle groups, cooperation with the European Defence Agency, as well as in the field energy efficiency. Support for the future projects should contribute to connecting the regional countries and strengthening the regional capacity, such as the Balkan Medical Task Force concept.
At the end of the meeting, they agreed and signed the 2016 Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme.
