Serbian president and premier speak of importance of cooperation with NATO

Serbia and NATO are firmly tied by a common interest, which is to preserve the peace and stability in the Western Balkans region, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Paolo Ali announced at a meeting with Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabić.

Brnabic in turn stressed that Belgrade, despite its military neutrality, is ready to cooperate with NATO. According to the Serbian prime minister, Serbia is not going to join NATO or any other military alliance, but this is not an obstacle for cooperation with NATO and its members.

Ana Brnabic also noted that presence of NATO forces in Kosovo and Metohija (KFOR) is extremely important for Serbia, especially after the incident when the director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric was abducted by the separatists.

Brnabic also stressed that despite intensive political relations and numerous fields of cooperation with NATO, the Serbian public is still encumbered by the heritage of the past in its attitude towards the alliance.

President Aleksandar Vucic also had a meeting with representatives of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. He pointed out too that the military neutrality of the country is not a barrier for cooperation with NATO, as it fosters regional stability.

To remind, in March it was 19 years when NATO countries launched a military aggression against the former Yugoslavia. Within 78 days of bombardments from 1,200 to 2,500 people were killed. About 6,000 peaceful citizens including 2,700 children were wounded.