BRUSSELS, Nov. 23 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday highlighted cooperation between NATO and Serbia at the first ever meeting between the country's premier and the political decision-making arm of the organization, he said at a press conference here.

Welcoming Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic to NATO headquarters, Stoltenberg said, "This is the first time ever a Serbian prime minister is meeting the North Atlantic Council and I think that just shows how we are now moving forward together on the path of strengthening the partnership and the cooperation."

The NATO chief stressed that Serbia, which is at the heart of the Balkan region, makes important contributions to regional and international security.

He stressed the potential of NATO-Serbia cooperation, adding, "I welcome the pragmatic cooperation we are developing between NATO and Serbia. The Individual Partnership Action Plan that we agreed last year is an important tool."

"NATO has been able to train Serbian troops during peace-keeping operations or missions. And I also welcome the cooperation we have in many other different areas," Stoltenberg added.

They also discussed security challenges facing the Western Balkans.

Serbia agreed to deepen cooperation with NATO through an Individual Partnership Action Plan in 2015.