(ANSA) - BRUXELLES - The cooperation with NATO is "of great importance" for Belgrade "to protect the Serb population in Kosovo and Metohija", Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said during a joint press point with Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary-General of the Atlantic Alliance, in Brussels.

"I asked to maintain the presence in Kosovo and Metochia and not to reduce it," Vucic pointed out, referring to the presence of the NATO multinational force (Kosovo Force-Kfor) in Kosovo to bring peace and stability. "The strong presence of NATO in Kosovo, beside our facilitated dialogue with Pristina, is to praise: we have managed to have no Serb or Albanian injured in these years," he pointed out. "We're not in favour of creating any political problem with anyone. I think it's important to look towards the future and not back to the past now," Vucic added.

The Serbian president recalled Belgrade's decision to remain military neutral but stressed its willingness "to develop a cooperation with NATO". The meeting was therefore useful to discuss the possibility of having international exercises in response to emergencies in the Serbian territory and training techniques of Iraqi soldiers. (ANSA).