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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

NATO supports Serbia's constructive role in security of Western Balkans

Belgrade, 9 November 2022

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Milos Vucevic met today with Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy and NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Javier Colomina as part of his visit to the Republic of Serbia.

On that occasion, Vucevic said that the foreign policy priority of the Republic of Serbia is membership in the European Union, and the strategic commitment is military neutrality, which does not represent an obstacle for cooperation with NATO, with the fact that Serbia has no ambitions to become a member of that alliance.

He said that the numerous meetings between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the regular communication of the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces with the KFOR commander, as well as the joint activities and cooperation of the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR contribute to the strengthening of trust and mutual understanding.

Regarding the security situation in the region, the Minister of Defence said that the overall situation in Kosovo and Metohija causes deep concern for the Republic of Serbia.

According to him, the current crisis was caused by the lack of implementation of the Brussels Agreement by Pristina, which did not fulfil its only obligation – the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities.

Vucevic said that our side is committed to the peaceful resolution of all issues, so we expect the political part of NATO to maintain its position of neutrality towards the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, and from KFOR to act impartially, in accordance with the mandate assigned by UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Military Technical Agreement, that is, to be the only and first response in all situations where the security of the non-Albanian population is threatened.

Colomina confirmed that NATO fully respects the policy of military neutrality of the Republic of Serbia and assessed that Serbia is a highly valued partner and said that NATO supports the constructive role of Serbia when it comes to the security of the Western Balkans.

He pointed out that the presence of KFOR is of key importance for guaranteeing security throughout Kosovo and Metohija, and that KFOR is ready to intervene if stability is threatened, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, according to the statement of the Ministry of Defence.