BELGRADE - Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic thanked UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia Irena Vojackova-Solorano and head of the UN Office in Belgrade Peter Due for UN assistance to Serbia during the recent catastrophic floods.

Gasic also underlined the Serbian government's concern over the decision of interim institutions in Pristina to form Kosovo armed forces, Defense Ministry stated in a release.

"We see the international presence as a guarantee of security in Kosovo-Metohija, which is why the current process of reducing international troops is watched with concern," Gasic noted.

The Defense Ministry's cooperation with the UN and its specialized agencies and bodies has great significance for the continuation of the reform process and Serbia's progress towards full EU membership.

The participation of members of Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) in multinational UN operations is very important in that respect, the officials agreed.

Serbia is currently taking part in six multinational UN operations with 205 SAF members, and a stronger involvement is planned for 2014.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet will soon visit Serbia, Defense Ministry announced.