Gasic, Munsch discuss significance of continued Serbia-NATO cooperation

BELGRADE - Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic met on Thursday in Belgrade with Admiral Stuart Munsch, commander of the NATO Joint Force Command in Naples, and highlighted the significance of continued cooperation at all levels of mutual interest, which he noted helped to maintain dialogue and advance trust and understanding between the two sides.

Gasic thanked Munsch for his contribution to maintaining the Serbia-NATO dialogue on a high level in the past three years, given the upcoming handover of duty at the helm of the NATO Joint Force Command in November.

Gasic also noted that Serbia remained committed to cooperation with KFOR, the only legitimate armed formation in Kosovo-Metohija as well as the only guarantee of peace in the Serbian province, and that he appreciated its impact on maintaining a safe and secure environment and on conflict prevention, the Serbian MoD said in a statement.

He noted that Serbia was committed to military neutrality and forging good ties with all interested parties, and that it would continue to acquire equipment and build own capacities and capabilities outside the framework of military alliances.

Gasic also noted that Serbia remained a committed and credible partner aiming to maintain an appropriate level of cooperation with NATO under the Partnership for Peace programme as the optimal framework for achieving security objectives and advancement of own defence capacities.

Munsch highlighted the significance of the long-term cooperation between NATO and Serbia as part of the Partnership for Peace programme, with full respect for Serbia's policy of military neutrality.

Munsch also said the Western Balkan region was strategically important for NATO, and reconfirmed NATO's strong commitment to stability in the region, also through KFOR, which he noted remained fully committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all under its long-term mandate, based on UNSCR 1244.

Munsch also noted the significance of maintaining direct and transparent communication channels among NATO, KFOR and Serbian state authorities.