Defense Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic told EUCOM Deputy Commander Lt General Michael Howard that Serbia has not imposed sanctions on Russia because it is guided by its own interests.

A Defense Ministry press release quoted Stefanovic as saying that Serbia respects international law and supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine. He added that the good cooperation between the Serbian military and KFOR is of great importance to official Belgrade because Pristina is constantly avoiding its international obligations.

The press release said that Howard was in Serbia as part of the delegation headed by US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried. It said that Stefanovic and the general agreed that bilateral US-Serbia defence cooperation was showing an upward trend with visible effect and that it keeps in step with the strategic development of the two countries’ political and economic relations. Stefanovic said that the cooperation mainly takes the form of joint exercises and training allowing the Serbian military to gain experience and skills helping it improve its operational capabilities and inter-operability.

General Howard also met with Serbian Chief of Staff General Milan Mojsilovic to discuss the current security situation in the region and opportunities to improve bilateral military cooperation. A press release said that they said the cooperation is intensive and comprehensive and mutually beneficial.

It said that Serbia intends to focus on concrete and visible forms of cooperation, adding that the most important step in improving bilateral military cooperation is the coming deployment to the peace operation on the Sinai.