Gasic: Serbia-France cooperation based on centuries-long friendship

BELGRADE - Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic met with French Ambassador to Belgrade Pierre Cochard on Wednesday to discuss bilateral defence cooperation, and noted that Serbia-France cooperation was highly developed and based on a centuries-long friendship between the two armies.

Gasic said acquisitions of French-made arms and military equipment were a foundation for further development of the bilateral defence cooperation, the Serbian MoD said in a statement.

The minister noted that support in experience-sharing and training for Serbian military personnel was expected from the French armed forces in the coming period.

He also said the number of activities his ministry was carrying out with the French side was seeing an upward trend in recent years and expressed the expectation the bilateral military cooperation would be developed further.

Cochard said he was pleased with the meeting with Gasic on defence affairs, the statement also said.