Gasic meets with Jaqsylyqov in Astana

BELGRADE - Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic met on Thursday in Astana with Kazakh Defence Minister Col Gen Ruslan Jaqsylyqov to discuss the global political and security situation and bilateral military cooperation and its advancement.

Gasic said the visit to Astana, his first official trip abroad as Serbia's defence minister, was an indicator of friendly relations between the two peoples and the two countries.

He said an excellent relationship between the presidents of Serbia and Kazakhstan, Aleksandar Vucic and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, certainly lent an impetus and an incentive to further advancement of bilateral cooperation.

He added that Belgrade was extremely grateful to Kazakhstan for its principled position and support for the preservation of Serbia's territorial integrity and protection of its national interests.

He said Serbia was committed to peaceful resolution of all issues through political dialogue with Pristina, with full respect of UNSCR 1244 and the Military-Technical Agreement, and added that Serbia would never recognise the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo.

Speaking about current global developments undermining stability, Gasic said Serbia had a long-term strategic commitment to maintain the status of a militarily neutral state along with advancement of cooperation with all relevant actors in international relations, in the fields of security and defence in particular.

He said bilateral defence cooperation was very good and that there was space for advancement of military-to-military, military-economic, military educational and military medical cooperation.

Gasic said an upward trend in the good relations between the two countries opened up a perspective of development of that cooperation and a significant potential for its advancement.

The parties agreed the two countries were characterised by peaceful foreign policies and a readiness to solve outstanding issues through dialogue and create conditions for unobstructed economic development and prosperity of the citizens of the two countries.

Jaqsylyqov thanked friendly Serbia for helping Kazakhstan during the recent flooding in his country, the Serbian MoD said in a statement.