The General Director of National Defence Policy and International Relations of the Ministry of National Defence, Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos, in the context of bilateral defence relations between Greece and Serbia, held a working teleconference on Friday 09 December 2022 with Deputy Defence Policy Minister of the Serbian Ministry of Defence, Mr Bredrag Bandic.

The main topics of the discussion were, on the one hand, the strengthening of bilateral defence relations between Greece and Serbia and on the other hand, the security environment in the Balkans, as formed after the latest geopolitical developments in the wider region.

Initially both officials recognised the excellent level of Greek-Serbian cooperation in all areas, and then the discussion focused on:

• The deepening of bilateral defence relations between Greece and Serbia.

• The impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the wider geopolitical environment of Eastern Europe, particularly in the Balkans and the Kosovo region.

• The security situation in the Western Balkans, where Dr. Balomenos noted Türkiye’s destabilising role and its efforts to reach the Muslim populations of the Balkans.

• The current situation in Kosovo and how it affects the overall stability and security of the Balkans.

• The analysis of common bilateral security challenges and threats.

At the conclusion of the meeting, it was stressed from both parts that the long-term relationship between the two countries is a pillar of stability for the Balkan region.