Serbian Defense Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic expressed concern on Monday over the participation of the Kosovo Security Forces in the NATO Defender Europe 21 exercise.
He told US Ambassador Anthony Godfrey and newly-appointed US Defense Attache Colonel Corey Shea that he appreciates the fact that he was informed beforehand about the exercise in the spirit of partnership but that he is deeply concerned because Kosovo’s participation in it runs counter to all international documents, a press release quoted him as saying.
Ambassador Godfrey said that he understands Serbia’s concern, adding that the US wants to continue its intensive cooperation with the Serbian military. He expressed the hope that the two countries’ militaries could hold joint exercises this year.
Godfrey and Stefanovic said that cooperation in a number of fields is important, including the state partnership program with the Ohio National Guard which they said is mutually beneficial in all segments of bilateral military cooperation. They said that both countries have an interest in continuing military cooperation and expanding it and stressed the importance of bilateral defense consulations with the aim of aligning strategic guidelines to promote cooperation.