22.05.2021.
Minister Stefanović gives a send-off to our peacekeepers deploying to Lebanon
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović, PhD, and the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff General Milan Mojsilović attended today a send-off ceremony for the Serbian Armed Forces contingent who will participate in UNIFIL over the next six months. At the ceremony which was held at the "People's Hero Stevica Jovanović" barracks in Pančevo, Minister Stefanović told the Serbian peacekeepers that he was convinced they would carry out their tasks with honour and dedication and that they would represent Serbia in the best possible way, behaving as befitted a Serbian soldier.
– You have gone through a strict selection process. It was not easy to be chosen to be sent on a peacekeeping mission and I know what it takes to meet the criteria to be considered at all. You, who stand before us today, have been chosen as the best representatives of our national colours - the Minister pointed out.
Stefanović added that our service members in the United Nations missions, especially in the largest mission in which the Serbian Armed Forces participate, will face numerous challenges.- You will have the opportunity to gain new knowledge, to show what you have learned during your military career and to represent the Serbian Armed Forces. All the representatives of the partner countries participating in peacekeeping missions, with whom I spoke, have always pointed out one thing: that the members of our armed forces deployed to peacekeeping missions are fully committed to their tasks and are among the best in every sense. I expect from you to be absolutely committed and to represent our country with dignity, as befits the Republic of Serbia - Minister Stefanović pointed out in his address.
According to the Minister, multinational operations entail certain risks, which calls for greater caution and compliance with all the rules, so he asked our peacekeepers to behave the same as in their regular units. He also underlined that they should beware of the Covid epidemic and everything else that could harm their health.
– As for your safety, I am confident that you and your commanding officers will do whatever it takes to keep all our people safe at all times - the Minister emphasized and added that we would closely monitor every event in Lebanon and be ready to react and help protect our troops.– I wish you the best of luck and successful completion of all tasks. Have a safe trip! Long live the Serbian Armed Forces! Long live Serbia! – Minister of Defence said.
Major Zoran Cvejić, the infantry company commander, who was handed the national flag by Minister Nebojša Stefanović, thanked for the honour bestowed on him.
– This sacred flag obliges us to carry out all tasks responsibly and selflessly, defending the honour of the Serbian soldier. I assure you that we will proudly represent the Serbian Armed Forces! - said Major Cvejić.
Members of the Serbian Armed Forces have been participating in UNIFIL since December 2010. Out of a total of 177 Serbian troops in UNIFIL, 142 will be replaced in this rotation. Majority of them are members of the First Army Brigade’s infantry company.
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