"More than 500 Serbian troops in peacekeeping missions"

"More than 500 Serbian troops in peacekeeping missions"

BELGRADE -- Defense Minister Bratislav Gašić says more than 500 members of Serbian Army (VS) will participate in 13 UN and EU-mandated peacekeeping missions this year.

"The safety of VS troops in these missions is at a very high level, particularly as they will be part of medical teams," Gašić said on Monday, in reply to an MP's question at the meeting of the Serbian Parliament Defense and Internal Affairs Committee.

Gašić specified that a total of 67 VS troops and two staff officers from the medical unit will take part in the UN-mandated peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic in 2014.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) involves a light field hospital with 6 VS members, said Gašić, noting that the mission will be carried out in cooperation with the German contingent.

VS troops will also participate in the EU-led military operation in this country (EUFOR RCA), the minister added.

The Committee accepted the amendments to the proposed decision on the involvement and participation of VS troops in UN and EU-mandated peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic, which enters into force on the day of its publication in the Official Gazette.

"Best part"

Bilateral military cooperation between Serbia and the United States is the best part of overall bilateral cooperation between the two countries, Bratislav Gašić said on Monday.

Presenting the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the United States of America concerning security...