The Serbian Secretary of State for Defence Tanja Miščević announced last week (23 September) that the soldiers will depart in early November to join the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) of Somali personnel taking place in Uganda.
The officers will participate in Atalanta's naval component on the ship of the French contingent, Miščević said.
Since Serbian soldiers' participation in foreign missions must be approved by the Parliament, usually with adoption of an annual plan early in the year, the soldiers will go as part of a standing bilateral agreement with France.
Serbia-EU cooperation was made possible after the two parties agreed on 8 June to cooperate on civilian and military missions. That followed another agreement signed on 26 May by Serbian Internal Affairs Minister Ivica Dačić and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton by which Belgrade accepts to participate in security procedures for the exchange and protection of classified information.
Serbia is among the 20 countries that have signed or are in the process of signing such agreements with the EU.
Notwithstanding its hopes of joining the EU, Serbia is not obligated to partake in the bloc's military and civilian missions. However EU Delegation to Serbia chief Vincent Degert and Ashton stressed that it is an important step in Serbia's association with the EU.
During her visit to Belgrade, Ashton said that the signing of participation agreements for cooperation with the EU is "a step that will bring Serbia closer to the Union." She added that "It is a clear sign of mutual trust."
Serbian soldiers are also involved in United Nations missions. On 23 September, an entire platoon departed for the first time for Cyprus.
The Serbian Armed Forces so far have 27 members in peacekeeping missions in four other countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, the Ivory Coast and Lebanon.
