28.01.2021.
Minister Stefanović: I support the idea of compulsory military service; the decision has not yet been made
Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović stated today at the National Assembly session that he was advocating the reintroduction of compulsory military service and that they would have a detailed discussion of the issue and he expressed belief that conscription would be reintroduced.
"I support the idea. The decision has not yet been made; we will look at all factors. I honestly think though, that this will happen, and it would be a step forward for the security of our country“, Stefanović said, responding to the question of the leader of the United Serbia political party, MP Dragan Marković, whether compulsory military service would be introduced or, as he put it, these were just empty promises.
Stefanović said that this was about resuming what had been suspended in 2011 in terms of compulsory military service, but this did not mean that our country would give up professional army or that the number of professional soldiers would be reduced.
Speaking about the reintroduction of compulsory military service, Stefanović says the following:
“This means four generations with about 2,500 people per generation, so about 10,000 soldiers a year."
He says that this topic must be looked at from many different angles including the financial one, and from the perspective of what the armed forces need and what is necessary for the country's defence.
Stefanović says that, in the advanced stages of discussion, it will be left to experts and the General Staff to consider the modalities of implementing this.
He says that they talked today to the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, about how much it would cost to reintroduce compulsory military service, and that the President made some useful suggestions.
"The system of professional soldiers remains, but today we have a situation where it is important for us to increase our armed forces’ strength and teach young soldiers military skills that can be important to them later in life," said Stefanović.
He emphasizes that it is important that these young people learn what the pride of our country looks like, to learn about the patriotic tradition and history of our country, as well as to listen to the anthem every day.
And to learn something that is very important for the future, and that is, of course, how weapons and complex combat systems are used, said Stefanović.
"Active reserve is also important, and I think we have lost a lot in that regard because of all the generation that did not serve in the military. The active reserve includes people of up to the age of 65, and hopefully we won’t have to call up to the reserve forces people over the age of 65 one day. That is why we have to introduce new generations into the reserve every year, and how can we do that if they did not serve in the military and do not know what a rifle looks like," the minister pointed out.
Stefanović says that people have the right to conscientious objection to using weapons, but they can perform other tasks in the military.
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