28.10.2009.

Minister gives a lecture

Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac gave a lecture today to the officers of 53rd class of GS college and 56th class of command staff college. The commanders being educated for the most responsible duties were presented with the results of MoD and accomplishments in the previous period, as well as the guidelines necessary for future work.

Minister Sutanovac expressed great pleasure at seeing the members of the armies of Bih, Russia , Montenegro and Macedonia among SAF members which proves that the cooperation between these regional countries was on a god stranding.

Sutanovac started his address with an estimate that this year had been more favourablke than the previous one. Apart from the fact that the system of defense had taken the brunt of the financial crisis, which had reduced the military budget by 26 %, positive results are obvious.

One of the main indicators is the rising of trust deposited in the army, as well as a rising number of those interested in pursuing the military career, and to serve the army under arms, while he also mentioned other proofs such as lively international activities and the process of professionalization.

In his words, our country has managed to establish a strong dialogue among the representatives of the military systems of countries from Ankara to Vienna with a shared goal to maintain regional security and stability. Minister recalled and reminded the present of the importance of integrations in the context of crime prevention and asymmetrical threats. He also reminded the present that SAF’s priority would be its participation in multinational operations, which would bring many benefitws to Serbia in defending its national interests.

Rounding up of the legal framework of the defense system, as well as the strategic documents adopted for the first time in history were very important parts of the defense system reform. He announced that the reorganization and systematization will soon be finalized which would improve the functioning of the whole system.

Once again, Minister Sutanovac called Kosovo the centripetal point of organized crime in this part of Europe, even though Serbia is not at this moment was not subject to threats.

This lecture was also another opportunity for the college students to give their suggestions and proposals specifically related to the military profession. Commanders had the opportunity to ask questions, and thus get familiarized closely with the defense policy, plans, and the prospects of the development of SAF.