During his brief to two dozens journalists, General Marinelli spoke about the key areas of NATO-Serbia cooperation, highlighting activities in defense reform and partnership assistance. "Serbia’s neutrality doesn’t prevent us from having exercises together, from working on interoperability, from sharing strategic assessments… The next steps for us would be a step by step continuation of what we are building now," said Marinelli.

The opening panel was also addressed by UK Defence Attache, Colonel Simon Fitzgibbon, who elaborated on London's assistance to Belgrade in military education and exchange of knowledge.

The 2017 seminar lasted for two days and focused on the migrant crisis and regional military cooperation.