NATO "shocked" by Serbian envoy death
- 11 years ago
This is the car park at Brussels airport where Serbia's ambassador to NATO leaped to his death on Tuesday.
Branislav Milinkovic, 52, apparently committed suicide during a conference of NATO foreign ministers, but officials are not making any connections between the meeting and his death.
A NATO official in Brussels said the organisation was shocked at the news.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS, JAMES APPATHURAI:
"We were absolutely shocked yesterday when we heard. We are deeply saddened at this loss. The ambassador was deeply respected here and very well liked. He did a very professional job."
Milinkovic was appointed ambassador to NATO in 2009, but had been based in Brussels since 2004, as an envoy from the now defunct union of Serbia and Montenegro.
Branislav Milinkovic, 52, apparently committed suicide during a conference of NATO foreign ministers, but officials are not making any connections between the meeting and his death.
A NATO official in Brussels said the organisation was shocked at the news.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS, JAMES APPATHURAI:
"We were absolutely shocked yesterday when we heard. We are deeply saddened at this loss. The ambassador was deeply respected here and very well liked. He did a very professional job."
Milinkovic was appointed ambassador to NATO in 2009, but had been based in Brussels since 2004, as an envoy from the now defunct union of Serbia and Montenegro.