Cooperation in the defense field between Macedonia and Serbia is long-standing, showing excellent results and needs to strengthen further, assessed countries' Defense Ministers Fatmir Besimi and Dragan Sutanovac respectively, at Monday's joint press conference.

Minister Besimi said cooperation in the defense sector, regional security and stability depended on the will to secure peace and stability as one of the basic prerequisites for development.

"We are interested in cooperation among the military academies, as well as the continual presence of Macedonian officers in Serbia and vice versa. Pertaining to the regional use of our capacities, we believe that the military-medical section, military academy, as well as military fields in both countries can be used in a complementary way", said Besimi.

According to him, one of the biggest challenges for quality staff in the defence sector in their social status and the possibility for career advancement, something which is properly regulated in Serbia.

Minister Sutanovac said Macedonia was very important for Serbia from the aspect of regional cooperation, with both countries having traditional cooperation in the field of military education, military healthcare etc.

"We want to launch cooperation referring to education of Serbian units in Macedonia and vice versa. Macedonia is developing its capacities related to military healthcare, which can be complementary to the Serbian one. Macedonia has continually taken part in peacekeeping missions, an experience that Serbia is gradually acquiring. I believe we can find ways to jointly take part in UN and EU-led peacekeeping missions worldwide", emphasized Sutanovac.

Pertaining to the Euro-segment of reforms, he said the Macedonian Defense Ministry was in a more advanced stage compared to Serbia, especially with regards to the active reserve.

"We want to establish an active reserve as of this year and we are interested in the Macedonian model", stressed Sutanovac.

DM Besimi also met with Chief of Serbian Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Ljubisa Dikovic.