22.10.2018.
Minister Vulin: Serbia does not agree with creation of “Kosovo's army” and remains militarily neutral
Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin has met today at the Old General Staff building with Elisabetta Trenta, Minister of Defence of the Italian Republic, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Serbia.
Earlier today, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić met with Minister Trenta in the building of the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic in Belgrade.
After the ceremonial welcome, ministers Vulin and Trenta had a meeting where they discussed key issues of defence cooperation and further directions for its enhancement.
Minister Vulin expressed his satisfaction with the fact that one of the first visits during the Minister Trenta's mandate is today's visit to Belgrade.- It is very important that Serbia and Italy continue with such good relations when it comes to the cooperation of the defence ministries. Italy's position is highly appreciated in Serbia and we perceive Italy as one of the key countries in the European Union. I wish to thank you for your role in KFOR mission and the conduct of Italian soldiers in the most difficult moments for the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija. If there had not been the courage of Italian soldiers during the March 2004 pogrom, we would not have today some of the most sacred places in our Orthodox church.. That is why I am very encouraged that you told me that the Italian contingent within KFOR in Kosovo and Metohija will not be reduced and that Italy will continue to give KFOR commanders, Minister Vulin said.
He also emphasized that Serbia is a militarily neutral country and being such, does not want to approach any of the military alliances, and therefore we are grateful for the position of the Italian government and the state that understands and accepts our position of neutrality.
- President Aleksandar Vučić, who runs negotiations with representatives of Pristina, leads a brave and consistent policy. It is a policy of seeking compromise, a policy that seeks to understand peace and stability in the entire Balkans. For this reason, Serbia cannot accept the creation of the “army of Kosovo”, because it considers that the formation of any paramilitary forces in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija actually creates instability, unrest, causing danger, not only for Serbia, but for the whole region. Resolution 1244 clearly says that the only armed force in Kosovo and Metohija is KFOR, and once again I would like to thank Italy for its participation and contribution within KFOR. I am very proud of the joint involvement with representatives of the Italian army in the mission in Lebanon and I am very pleased that together we are able to provide peace to other nations. I am looking forward to continuing our cooperation, Minister Vulin said, adding that he hopes that the military-economic cooperation between Serbia and Italy will be better than before, and that the Italian side will see that the Serbian military industry has much to offer.
Minister Trenta thanked Minister Vulin and authorities in Serbia for appreciating the role of Italy in Serbia and the Balkans.- My visit to Serbia is the first visit of a minister from the new Italian government. At the meetings I had today with President Vučić and Minister Vulin, I have highlighted the full support of Italy to the European path of Serbia, as well as the process of important reforms that are being implemented in the framework of the accession negotiations. I also expressed our support for President Vučić's efforts to reach a compromise solution with Pristina. We are aware that dialogue, under the auspices of the High Representative of the European Union, addresses complex issues. We believe that both sides should use all their negotiating capacities and potentials in order to define the arrangement and reach agreement in order to normalise relations, Minister Trenta said.
As she pointed out, today's talks with Minister Vulin addressed topics of common interest.- It is a range of topics from strengthening bilateral cooperation to joint participation in multinational operations. We also discussed the possibilities that exist in terms of intensifying cooperation in the field of defence industry, the Italian minister of defence concluded.
