Vucevic: Serbia-China military cooperation modernises SAF defence capabilities

BEIJING - Serbian Deputy PM and Defence Minister Milos Vucevic says Serbia-China military cooperation supports Serbia's defense modernisation and empowers its defense capabilities.

In an interview to China's state-run media outlet Global Times, Vucevic noted that he looked forward to further development of Sino-Serbian cooperation, especially in defence.

He said the delivery of the Chinese-made FK-3 medium-range anti-aircraft missile system and CH-95 and CH-92A UAVs made the Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) significantly stronger, giving them capabilities they had not had before.

"We will continue to enhance our capabilities, both in human resources and weapons and military equipment, in order to be able to protect our people, wherever they live, and in order to be the guarantor of Serbia's independence," he said.

"We are truly grateful for China's wholehearted support for the preservation of Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. China's position on the Kosovo-Metohija issue has always been principled and consistent, which is proof of the true friendship between the two countries," Vucevic also said.

He reiterated that Serbia supported the One China principle and condemned all attempts to threaten China's unity regarding the Taiwan issue.

He said China, unlike other great powers, did not attach any conditions to its cooperation with Serbia and was one of Serbia's most reliable friends.

"Overall, Serbia-China relations have been extremely close in recent years and are developing chiefly due to the excellent relations between the two presidents - Aleksandar Vucic and Xi Jinping. The traditional 'ironclad friendship' is evidenced by the fact that in two years' time, the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries will be marked," he said.

"We consider China our traditional and long-term friend in these challenging times, but also one of the crucial factors contributing to global peace and stability, which it has been proven countless times with China's peacetime policy and wise political moves," Vucevic also said.