General Romano: Serbia, NATO Cannot Forget the Past, but Are Nethertheless Moving Forward

Brigadier General Giampiero Romano (BETAPHOTO/AMIR HAMZAGIC)

Chief of the NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade, Brigadier General Giampiero Romano, said on March 24, the anniversary of the NATO bombing campaign against former Yugoslavia that began on March 24, 1999, that the past could not be forgotten, but that moving forward was needed.

“This is what Serbia and NATO are doing as they both look forward to a better future. Our long-standing partnership is based on political dialogue and practical cooperation in many areas, and Serbia’s stated policy of military neutrality is being fully honored,“ the general said in a release handed to the media.

“NATO remains fully committed to continuing to provide its contribution to stability across the Western Balkans region, including through our KFOR mission, which is continuing to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people in Kosovo, under its mandate based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999,” General Romano said.

The general went on to say that NATO and Serbia were close partners and were working together to be better prepared for emergencies such as floods and forest fires. NATO is also helping Serbia reform its security forces and institutions, including the training of Serbian soldiers for peacekeeping missions, the general said. The Alliance has also invested millions of euros to help Serbia destroy hundreds of tons of obsolete ammunition, Romano said.