21.10.2019.
Panel “Concept of total defense in the contemporary conditions” held at the Book Fair
On the second day at the 64th International Book Fair in Belgrade, at the stand of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Armed Forces, the first panel entitled “The concept of total defense in the contemporary conditions” was held. Panel participants were the State Secretary at the Ministry of Defense, Aleksandar Živković, retired General Vidosav Kovačević, retired Admiral Boško Antić, Colonel Dejan Stojković, PhD from the Strategic Planning Department of the Defense Policy Sector and Lieutenant Colonel Žarko Stojković from the Department for Defense Obligations of the Sector for Civil Defense and Defense Preparations.
Greeting the audience on behalf of the Minister of Defense, Aleksander Vulin, and thanking the organizers of the panel for their contribution to the presentation of the defense system at this year’s Book Fair, not only through publishing, but also through presenting to the general public all that is being done at the Ministry of Defense through such activities, Secretary Živković pointed out that the concept of total defense was not a novelty of the time, but that it was necessary.
- It is well known from the long history of the human society that the one defending himself must engage all the capacities in order to preserve the vital values. As we know from the history of Serbia in the 20th century, from the Balkan Wars and the First World War to the defense during the NATO aggression in 1999, all values, capacities and resources of the society were engaged in all forms and under different names. Most states are developing systems that engage all systems of society and the state in eliminating risks to their values, which indicates that the concept of total defense is extremely important – said State Secretary Živković.
Responding to the question about the practical application of the concept of total defense in the last conflict in 1999, Boško Antić emphasized that only using total defense “was it possible, despite the unprecedented deployment of enemy forces, to prevent the aggressor achieve his goals – to quickly destroy the Yugoslav Army and thus progress towards the achievement of his ultimate goal – gaining a free passage to Eurasia and Russia” and emphasized that this concept is necessary in modern conditions.
Speaking about the experiences of other countries in this field, Colonel Stojković said that the concept of total defense has been used by many countries over a number of years and that, as such, it is not a novelty.
- The most common reasons a country chooses to use the concept of total defense is its geopolitical and geostrategic position, its tradition and its history. This concept is most often applied by small countries with limited human resources and material capacities, and it is this concept that guarantees their sovereignty, freedom and independence – said Colonel Stojković, stating that Sweden, Finland, Norway, Switzerland and even Singapore are among the countries that apply the concept of total defense.
Lieutenant Colonel Žarko Stojković emphasized that total defense includes military and civil defense.
- The security of the society and the defense of the society is not a task of the military forces, but it is a task and an obligation of one and all; that is what is being promoted through the issues in the field of defense and security, which have regained their place in the high school curriculum since last year – concluded Lieutenant Colonel Stojković, and Vidosav Kovačević agreed that the offensive was an indispensable part of any defense.
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VIDEOGALLERY21.10.2019
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