U.S. Department of Defense
January 27, 2014
Hagel, Serbia’s Defense Minister Discuss Enhanced Defense Cooperation
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met at the Pentagon today with Serbia’s Minister of Defense Nebojsa Rodic for discussions that included opportunities for broadening defense cooperation.
“Secretary Hagel was pleased to join Minister Rodic in signing a General Security of Military Information Agreement, which will ensure protection of military information and enable further military-to-military cooperation,” Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement issued after the meeting.
Kirby said Hagel “welcomed Serbia’s contribution to peacekeeping efforts and its leadership on the Balkans Medical Task Force,” and added that “Serbia’s decision to host bilateral and multinational exercises further demonstrates our growing defense relationship.”
In addition, Kirby said “the leaders discussed regional security concerns in the Balkans, and ways to build upon the positive momentum of the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue.”
Kirby said Hagel praised the progress Serbia and Kosovo have made in normalizing relations, and highlighted the positive influence Minister Rodic has had in securing regional cooperation.
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