Serbian President Invites Government To Consider Joint Exercises With NATO

• 21.11.2023, 14:22

Details.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced his intention to invite the Serbian government to consider the possibility of holding military exercises with NATO and other partners and allies.

President Vučić said this at a joint Press Conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The European Truth quotes RTS.

“As Commander-in-Chief, I will send a request to the government of the Republic of Serbia to consider the decision to resume the joint exercises with NATO that we conducted previously, and with our other partners in the coming period,” Vučić said.

Traditionally associated with Russia, Serbia is not a NATO member state but has participated in the Partnership for Peace program since 2006. The prospect of holding joint exercises with NATO can be interpreted as a step towards closer cooperation.

However, Serbia's official position on full NATO membership remains unchanged, and neutrality is a key aspect of its military policy.

“Serbia is a military-neutral state and will remain a military-neutral. But it is known who leads the army and who commands the army of Serbia,” President Vučić said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg yesterday allowed an increase in NATO troops in the Western Balkans to counter the destabilization of the region.

NATO has already increased its KFOR military presence in Kosovo after tensions escalated between Pristina and Belgrade in late September.