First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic met today with Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Stuart Peach. General Milan Mojsilovic, Chief of General Staff of Serbian Armed Forces, also attended the meeting.

At the meeting it was emphasized that Serbia and NATO shared an interest for the preservation of peace and stability in the region and a commitment to the further promotion of the partner cooperation and building of mutual trust in all areas of common interest. Both sides noted they were pleased with the dynamic of political dialogue at the highest and other levels as well as the practical cooperation in a number of areas within the Partnership for Peace programme. The importance of completing in the very near future the procedure for adopting a new cycle of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) between Serbia and NATO was particularly emphasized.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic pointed out that by pursuing the policy of military neutrality Serbia endeavoured to be a reliable and responsible partner in the preservation of peace and security in the region, as a key precondition for the progress of the region as a whole.

In the talks, positive assessment was made of Serbia's active participation and contribution to combating terrorism, emergency response in natural and other disasters and of addressing the current regional and global security challenges and threats.

With regard to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija as the most important political and security challenge facing our country, Minister Dacic conveyed that it was of utmost importance that the mandate of NATO Mission in Kosovo (KFOR) be carried out in full scope, according to UNSC Resolution 1244 and the Military Technical Agreement, and also that KFOR Mission carried out its role as the main guarantor of the preservation of peace and security in the Province as well as the protection of the Serbian population and its cultural and religious heritage in Kosovo and Metohija. The Minister stressed that Serbia remained committed to reaching a compromise and sustainable solution for the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, which would ensure lasting peace and stability of the entire region.

Air Chief Marshal Peach said that he was pleased with the level of partner cooperation reached between Serbia and NATO, emphasizing readiness and willingness for its further promotion. He underlined in particular the commitment of NATO to its further engagement in Kosovo and Metohija through KFOR, in line with its mandate stipulated in UNSC Resolution 1244, with the aim of ensuring a secure and safe environment for all inhabitants of Kosovo and Metohija. Marshal Peach stressed the readiness to further promote the dialogue and cooperation between KFOR and NATO military structures with the Serbian Armed Forces.