Bilateral consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in the area of security challenges

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation held bilateral consultations on security challenges and threats, in Moscow, on 2 October 2017. The delegation of the Serbian Foreign Ministry was led by the Acting Assistant Minister for Security Policy, Ambassador Branimir Filipovic, while the Russian delegation was headed by Ambassador Ilya Rogachev, Director of the Department for New Challenges and Threats.

After the bilateral consultations, Ambassador Filipovic was also received by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Oleg Syromolotov.

In an open conversation that the two sides had during the consultations, views were exchanged about terrorism as a global threat, with focus on the situation in the Middle East, terrorism financing and the issue of supporting terrorism and terrorist organizations, the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters and the fight against the spread of ideology of terrorism and radicalization.

Particular attention was paid to the security situation in the Balkan region and in Southeast Europe, with emphasis on the situation in Kosovo and Metohija.

Moreover, bilateral cooperation and opportunities for its further enhancement in the area of security policy and facing the current security challenges and threats were examined. Mutual understanding and support on issues considered at international organizations and forums were underlined, while the primary role of the United Nations in the preservation of global peace and stability was jointly highlighted.

It was concluded that the consultations represented a follow-up to the intensive contacts between the two Ministries and additionally enhanced an intensive political dialogue between the two states.