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Serbia, China see big prospects for expanding military co-op
2009-09-08 04:58

Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie (L) shakes hands with Serbian President Boris Tadic during their meeting in Belgrade on Sept. 7, 2009. Liang, also a state councilor, arrived in Belgrade on Saturday for his four-day official visit.(Xinhua/Lian Guohui)

BELGRADE, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The defense ministers of Serbia and China said here on Monday that there are big prospects for expanding military cooperation between the two countries.

Serbian Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac and his visiting Chinese counterpart General Liang Guanglie told a joint news conference that the two countries cherish their traditional friendship and that military cooperation will further strengthen bilateral ties.

Sutanovac said this is the first time in 25 years that a Chinese defense minister has made an official visit to Belgrade. The visit has strategic importance following the signing of an agreement of strategic partnership between the two countries during a state visit by Serbian President Boris Tadic to China in August.

Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie (L) and his Serbian counterpart Dragan Sutanovac attend a joint press conference after their meeting in Belgrade on Sept. 7, 2009.(Xinhua/Lian Guohui)

Sutanovac called defense cooperation the best example of all the cooperation between the two countries, which covers cooperation in the areas of military medicine, military training, military economics, military science, as well as peacekeeping operations.

He reiterated Serbia's support for the one-China policy.

The two defense ministers also discussed global military challenges such as terrorism, organized crime and other criminal activities.

"We expressed our mutual desire to cooperate in combating these threats and exchanging information," said Sutanovac.

Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie (3rd R) meets with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic (2nd L) in Belgrade on Sept. 7, 2009.(Xinhua/Lian Guohui)

Liang said that he and Sutanovac discussed bilateral ties, military cooperation and international relations, and reached wide consensus on issues of mutual concern.

Liang arrived in Belgrade on Saturday for his four-day official visit.

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