Parliament ratifies agreement with NATO on status of forces

The Serbian parliament has ratified an agreement between NATO and countries participating in Partnership for Peace that regards the status of their forces.

Source: Tanjug Wednesday, 8.07.2015. | 09:46

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When he addressed MPs during the debate, Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic said that the agreement does not mean Serbia was moving "closer to NATO," that it was a militarily neutral country, and that "no army will be able to pass through the territory of Serbia or use its resources without first being asked by the Serbian Army (VS) to do so."



The minister said that Serbia would not be extraditing any member of the military sentenced to death because this kind of punishment does not exist in Serbia’s legal system.



Ratifying the agreement "provides for the VS using mechanisms of international military cooperation through a more efficient implementation of procedures necessary for participation in international exercises both in Serbia and abroad and for it stepping up its operational and functional capabilities in multinational operations."



The agreement also "enables Serbia to meet international obligations aimed at preparing its forces for playing a more active role in strengthening the European foreign and security policy."