Joint military exercises between Serbia’s armed forces and NATO have started for the first time in history. The event will last two weeks and marks a significant step in the development of Belgrade’s military cooperation with the Alliance.
Around 600 service members from Serbia, Turkey, Italy, and Romania are taking part in the exercises. Observers from France, Germany, the United States, Romania, and the United Kingdom are also present.
The primary focus is on practicing tactics and techniques for conducting peacekeeping operations. Participants will train in securing military bases, organizing checkpoints, crowd control, and operating in urban conflict environments.
“The goal of the cooperation is to ensure peace and stability in the region,” the Serbian Ministry of Defense stated.
The exercises are taking place against the backdrop of a complex geopolitical situation in the Balkans. For Serbia, which has traditionally maintained a policy of military neutrality, holding such joint events with NATO is a significant development.