CEUMC official visit to SERBIA

14.10.2019

The Chairman of European Military Committee, Gen. Claudio Graziano, concluded a two-day visit to Serbia, today. On the invitation by Gen. Milan Mojsilovic, Chief of General Staff of Serbian Armed Forces (SAF), General Graziano had the opportunity to meet with political and military authorities and exchange views on several aspects of common interest, particularly in the context of defence and security, and cooperation between EU institutions and Western Balkans countries.

Leitmotiv of discussions with Mojsilovic, with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dacic, and with Minister of Defence, Aleksandar Vulin, was the firm commitment by Serbia to continue on progressing in its path toward full EU membership. Serbian authorities confirmed the efforts that the country is making for internal reforms, the intention to intensify cooperation with Brussels and exploit opportunities provided by EU mechanisms in the defence sector, like PESCO, EDF and the EPF. 

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A possibility to consider future additional personnel contribution to Common and Security Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations was also mentioned, as a tangible sign of a valuable commitment to European Union Global Strategy. Belgrade, in fact, is already participating in CSDP activities, particularly with medical personnel, a key enabler for the effectiveness of military activities. In this regard, SAF authorities organized a very interesting visit to the Medical Military Academy, an outstanding capability created by Serbia. The facility has little equals in Europe in terms of quality of the extensive services provided. 

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Gen Graziano welcomed the authorities’ positive and constructive approach towards EU integration, recognized the excellent service provided by SAF deployed personnel and appreciated the proposals in term of possible additional military contributions, by stating that he is looking forward to increasing the level of cooperation between Belgrade and Brussels at military-to-military level.

Concluding his visit, Chairman was invited by Amb. Sem Fabrizi, Head of EU delegation in Belgrade, for a very interesting round talk, at the presence of many ambassadors and defence attachés of European Member States in Serbia, where he had the opportunity to recall and discuss the progresses in latest EU defence and security initiatives. 

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All the delegates acknowledged the diplomatic value of the visit by Gen. Graziano as a concrete sign of the utmost importance European Union attaches to the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans region.