Obradovic said that the Republic of Serbia has a solidly defined legislative framework for defence and security, but everyday realities call for its revision, a matter the Committee is closely cooperating on with the executive and the civil sector. She added that the public trusts the military and police implicitly as the two institutions have on many occasions demonstrated their dedication and steadiness, especially in their response to the natural disasters in the last couple of years. She also said that Serbia is currently working toward strengthening and modernising its military capacities, but remains a military neutral country.

Jorge Domecq asked about the security and defence challenges Serbia comes up against, adding that the European Defence Agency plays a key role in the development, optimisation and coordination of the member states in the defence part of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. Domecq also said that he sees great leaps forward in Serbia’s security, as well as great potential in the fields of science and IT. He also said that Serbia should join regional projects and that the European Defence Agency stands ready to assist it on the matter.

Obradovic said that Serbia considers abiding by international law as regards the principle of protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of every state to be of paramount importance. In that respect, the biggest challenge facing Serbia is the fallout of the illegitimate and unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Republic of Kosovo.

Obradovic reaffirmed Serbia’s commitment to EU accession and support for EU’s external and security policy global strategy for the improvement of defence capacities, closer military cooperation, adding that the country needs help for the security sector reform, migrant crisis and finding common responses to the threats of terrorism and climate change. She also added that the members of the Serbian Armed Forces take part in multilateral operations which proves the country’s readiness and contribution to global peace and security.

The Chairperson of the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee briefed the delegation on the Committee’s activity, highlighting the fact that since she took over the leadership of the Committee she has insisted on enhancing the participation of women in the security sector, as well as the significant rise in the number of women in the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee itself – 11 of its 34 members are women.