Skopje, 27 January 2023 (MIA) – Enhancement of cooperation in the defense sector and countries’ participation in regional initiatives as platforms for strengthening regional stability and security were in the focus of Friday’s meeting of Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska with Serbian counterpart Miloš Vučević.

Minister Petrovska said maintaining regional stability is of primary importance, achieved through open dialogue and goodneighborly relations, whereas active participation in regional cooperation initiatives contributes in building mutual trust and understanding, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release.

Petrovska added that full integration of the Western Balkans in the European Union would contribute to the strengthening of stability and increase regional cooperation.

Interlocutors agreed that regional initiatives – South Eastern Europe Defense Ministerial (SEDM), Balkan Medical Task Force, B-9 initiative of Chiefs of Staff, and Centre for Security Cooperation (RACVIAC) – are in the countries’ joint interest and enhancing bilateral cooperation, reads the press release.