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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Continuation of cooperation of Serbian Defence Ministry, Ohio Army National Guard

Belgrade, 31 August 2012

First Deputy Prime Minister responsible for defence, security and the fight against corruption and crime and Minister of Defence Aleksandar Vucic spoke today with the Commander of the Ohio Army National Guard, Major General Deborah Ashenhurst.

From left: Ambassador Mary Warlick, Major General Deborah Ashenhurst and Aleksandar Vucic

Author: mod.gov.rs

A statement issued by the Ministry of Defence says that Vucic and Ashenhurst highlighted the importance of cooperation within the State Partnership Programme, which is mutually beneficial and important in all aspects of bilateral military cooperation.

Vucic said that Serbia will not join the NATO alliance, but that within the framework of the Partnership for Peace it will continue to develop good cooperation with everyone.

The First Deputy Prime Minister expressed his hope that the Ohio Army National Guard will continue to support the reform of Serbia’s defence system, particularly in the areas of professionalisation of the armed forces, participation in joint training and exercises, strengthening of the capacity of regional cooperation and further advanced training and education of members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Army.

Vucic expressed satisfaction with the fact that he will have the honour to attend together with US Ambassador to Serbia Mary Warlick and the Commander of the National Guard of Ohio the ceremony marking the completion of renovation of the building of the "Svetozar Markovic" primary school in Kraljevo, which was carried out jointly by members of the Guard and the Army of Serbia under the project "Humanitarian Assistance" of the United States European Command.

Vucic also expressed gratitude to the US for help in equipping and modernisation of Serbia’s armed forces with modern systems and the donation of 17 “Hummer” vehicles which will be deliver to the Serbian Army as part of the programme of Foreign Military Assistance.

The First Deputy Prime Minister underlined the importance of expert assistance from the National Guard for further development of the base “Jug” (South) and the forthcoming training of chaplains.

Ashenhurst pointed out that the State Partnership Programme with Serbia is one of the best programmes which the United States has with more than 60 countries around the world and confirmed the continuation of support and assistance in all crucial areas of cooperation.

She proposed that the newly-appointed minister of defence of Serbia visits Ohio soon and gets acquainted on his own with the capacity and possibilities of the National Guard, it is added in the statement.