Dacic: Serbia has not moved one step closer to NATO membership

Belgrade, 22 March 2015 (MIA) - Serbia's military stance is neutral and the country has not moved one step closer to NATO membership, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said on Sunday.

"Serbia's military stance is neutral and we have no intention of becoming a member of NATO, but there is a common interest in building peace in the region and working with NATO," he told TV Pink commenting on the Infividual Partnership Action Plan between Serbia and NATO, whose implementation started several days ago, Tanjug news agency reports. 

That represents the highest level of cooperation between NATO and a country that is not its member, he stressed. Serbia's goal is to build partnership relations with everyone, he noted, adding that Serbia had the same observer status in the Organisation for Collective Security and Cooperation, which is led by Russia.

Serbia's cooperation with both sides does not undermine its neutrality, he remarked, adding that Serbia has participated in joint military exercises with both sides.