Vucevic receives Italian chief of defence staff

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Milos Vucevic received Italian Chief of Defence Staff Adm Giuseppe Cavo Dragone in Belgrade on Thursday, noting that Serbia remained fully committed to promoting peace and dialogue and preservation of stability in the region.

Vucevic pointed out that EU membership was Serbia's strategic commitment and noted that Belgrade would be a cooperative partner to all countries in the Western Balkan region and EU member states, the Serbian government said in a statement.

He said engagement of Italian army troops in the Kfor mission was very important for the protection of the Serb population and for maintaining peace and stability in Kosovo-Metohija, and thanked Cavo Dragone for the professionalism of Italian troops and their commitment to this very important task.

Vucevic congratulated Cavo Dragone on his appointment as next chairman of the NATO Military Committee and wished him success in the post.

Thanking Vucevic for the meeting, Cavo Dragone agreed Serbia-Italy relations were on a high level and that there were opportunities for further advancement and expansion of bilateral military cooperation.