Djuric begins visit to Benin, meets with defence minister

COTONOU - Serbian FM Marko Djuric began a three-day official visit to Benin on Monday, meeting with Defence Minister Fortunet Alain Nouatin.

The parties discussed advancement of bilateral defence and security cooperation.

Djuric said the visit to Benin was especially important, being the first official trip to the African country by a Serbian FM, clearly confirming Serbia's commitment to advancement of relations, the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

He said mutual interest in establishing concrete cooperation in the defence sector had been confirmed at the meeting.

Djuric noted that Serbia was a militarily neutral country pursuing a multi-vector foreign policy, opening up possibilities for cooperation with countries like Benin.

He stressed that Serbia stood ready to consider modalities of cooperation with Benin, including experience-sharing and expert training.

Djuric said the friendship between Serbia and Benin, established as early as in the era of the Non-Aligned Movement, represented a solid foundation for development of relations in defence and other key sectors.

Djuric invited Nouatin to visit Serbia and attend the Partner international arms and military equipment fair in Belgrade in September.

Djuric also met with Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts Babalola Jean-Michel Herve Abimbola.

While in Cotonou - the largest city in Benin and the country's economic and administrative hub - Djuric will also speak with Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Gaston Dossouhoui.