Serbia’s Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac told the audience at the Halifx International Security Forum that Serbia erroneously believed that its security could be protected if Serbia stayed neutral among military blocks.

Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum, Sutanovac said that world challenges and risks “flood over our country so it is extremely important from the very beginning to monitor and cooperate on the spread of information about ways to escape the threats”.

Sutanovac was critical over claims that NATO membership is against Serbia’s interests.

“If we take a look at our borders, we will see that Serbia is already surrounded by NATO, and is thus practically a NATO member. The issue of NATO membership, however, is currently not on the agenda, but we certainly have no other option but to cooperate with our closest neighbors,” he stressed.

Sutanovac said that no country can deal with global challenges on its own, as these challenges exceed administrative limits.

Sutanovac said that Serbia must impose the civilian control of armed forces and that the task is extremely important.

Halifax Forum is, said Sutanovac, ” the most important for our region and Serbia” noting that it is one of the three major world conferences on security.

The Halifax International Security Forum comes only two weeks before North Atlantic Treaty Organization leaders are scheduled meet in Lisbon to discuss the future of the defense organization and missile defense.

After the Halifax meeting, Sutanovac was in Washington where he was told that the US will pay Serbia $1 million in military help.

Sutanovac noted that the total US help to Serbia’s military is additional $900,000 if accounted for officer training program.

“We expect that as of tomorrow [Nov 9, 2010], within the yearly report that the EU Commission submits, it is clearly noted that the reform of the [Serbia's] system of defense is in line with the democratic principles of the contemporary Europe and that we have done our job,” said Sutanovac.

“After Romania, we will be the most powerful military in the region,” said Sutanovac.

Sutanovac said that Serbia’s navy is ready to take part in the operations in the waters near Somalia where pirates are kidnapping ships.

Tanjug
SERBIANNA
November 8, 2010

• A Permanent Economic Emergency