06.02.2014.
Minister of Defence meets Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe
Defence Minister Nebojsa Rodic met with the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, also the Commander of the EU-led operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, EUFOR ALTHEA, General Richard Shirreff.The meeting was focused on regional cooperation and the role of the Republic of Serbia in the creation of a secure environment in the Balkans, as well as the cooperation with NATO within the Partnership for Peace Programme.
General Shirreff was introduced to the fact that regional cooperation is one of the foreign policy priorities of the Republic of Serbia. Among forthcoming activities within the regional initiatives, special importance was attached to the meeting between deputy chiefs-of-staff within the Cooperation Process between South East Europe (SEEC) defence ministers which will take place in Belgrade from 10 to 13 June this year.
By engagement in the activities within the Forum for Western Balkans Defence Cooperation – SEEC, the Ministry of Defence through its project approach is promoting the possibilities of development and declaration of the following national capacities into the regional centres: CBRN Personnel Training Centre, Military Medical Academy, Military Hospital Nis, South Base, Peacekeeping Operations Centre and Centre for the destruction of ammunition and weapons TRZ "Kragujevac".
They expressed satisfaction with the cooperation achieved so far through programmes and mechanisms of work of the Serbia-NATO Defence Reform Group, which ensures considerable bilateral support of NATO member countries, Partnership for Peace Programme and the European Union in achieving Partnership Goals.During July 2013, the new Trust Fund was launched being intended for the use of capacities of the Technical Overhaul Institute Kragujevac for the needs of the region.
It was pointed out that the preparation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan - IPAP is underway and that the activities through the Building Integrity Programme have intensified.
They particularly emphasized the importance of education as a basis for further development, equipping and increasing the operational capability of the Serbian Armed Forces to perform all its tasks and missions.
