Serbia conducts joint exercises with NATO for the first time

Serbia for the first time in its history organized joint military exercises with NATO.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of the republic.

The maneuvers are taking place at the Borovac training ground near the city of Bujanovac in the south of the country. About 600 servicemen from Serbia, Italy, Romania and Turkey are participating in them. Representatives of a number of alliance countries, including the United States, Great Britain, France and Germany, are also observing the exercises.

As noted in the Serbian Ministry of Defense, the exercises are tactical in nature and will last until May 23. The main goal is the exchange of experience and practicing actions used in peacekeeping operations.

The military, in particular, are training to ensure the security of bases, operate at checkpoints, control mass gatherings of people, and also conduct combat in an urban environment.

The exercises are led by the deputy commander of the 3rd Army Brigade, Colonel Branislav Stevanovic.

The Serbian defense department emphasized that the maneuvers are taking place within the framework of the NATO program "Partnership for Peace" and do not contradict the country's policy of military neutrality.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic previously stated that such exercises are aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region.