It is announced that, following an invitation extended from the Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff of Serbia, Lieutenant General Zdravko Ponos, Hellenic National Defense General Staff Chief, General Dimitrios Grapsas paid a three day official visit to Serbia, from October 31st to November 2nd 2007.
During the visit, the excellent relations between the Armed Forces of the two countries were confirmed, as well as their mutual commitment in further developing and enhancing their military cooperation, both at a bilateral level and in the framework of International Organizations in wich they participate.
As mentioned by the two Chiefs in a joint statement, twenty programs of military collaboration were implemented throughout 2007, including training of Serbian Officers in various Greek Military Schools, while Special Forces Teams from both countries conducted common training exercises in Serbia. Apart from extending its hospitality to the Serbian Officers, Greece also contributed in equipping a classroom used for teaching the Greek language at the Military Academy of Belgrade. Additionally, military collaboration issues at a bilateral level, concerning the year 2008, were also in the agenda.
During his visit in Serbia the Chief /HNDGS, visited the Military Academy in Belgrade, the Peacekeeping Mission Centre, the Special Forces Brigade as well as the Military Cemetery at Pirot, where the annual memorial service was held for Greek Officers and Soldiers, who fell in the field of combat while taking part in operations in the region during World War I (1918) and are buried there.
LTC Charalambos Laloussis
HNDGS Spokesman
