Podgorica, (MINA) – The first ever NATO-Serbia joint military exercise will improve the level of interoperability between Serbian and NATO forces and help support and consolidate stability in the Western Balkans, an unnamed NATO source told the MINA News Agency.

The exercise, held at the Borovac training ground, began on May 11 and will last until May 23.

According to the NATO official, about 600 troops are participating in the exercise, including those from Serbia, Italy, Romania and Turkey, as well as military planners and military observers from Serbia, France, Germany, Italy, Montenegro, Romania, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Participants are involved in a range of activities applied in peace support operations, including combat in urban environments, securing the bases, crowd control, and staffing and operating checkpoints.

“The added value of this military exercise is fourfold. It provides a framework for testing and improving the level of interoperability between Serbian and NATO forces. It helps the Serbian Armed Forces to better prepare to contribute to international peace and security, through participation in UN and EU led peace operations”, said the NATO official.

He added that the exercise contributes to the further strengthening of practical cooperation between NATO and Serbia and helps to support and consolidate stability in the Western Balkans, for the benefit of all.