BELGRADE - Italian Brigadier-General Lucio Batta assumed the position of Chief of the NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade at a change of command ceremony held on Thursday, 13 February 2014, in the Old Serbian General Staff building in the Serbian capital. He replaces Italian Brigadier-General Ornello Baron.

The transfer of command authority ceremony was attended by the Serbian Minister of Defence, Nebojsa Rodic, Commander of the JFC Naples Admiral Bruce Clingan, Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Ljubiša Diković, members of the Serbian military and government, as well as media, NGO and diplomatic representatives.

"I am looking forward to working with the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces in support of their reform efforts and I hope that our partnership will continue to be strengthened,” said Brigadier-General Batta. "NATO remains ready to continue working with Serbia on items of common interest and I'm hopeful our future efforts will be fruitful,” he said.

Brigadier-General Baron completes a two-year mandate as the Chief of the NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade.

"It has been a distinct honor to serve in Serbia and I won't soon forget my time here,” said Brigadier-General Baron. "I commend the professionalism and dedication of the Serbian military authorities and I wish every success to Brigadier-General Batta and his team,” he said.

Brigadier General Batta is the sixth Chief of the NATO MLO Belgrade since its establishment in December 2006. He held the same position in 2007-2008.