14.02.2010.

Ceremony in the Special Brigade on occasion of SAF Day

The ceremony occasioned by the SAF Day was held today bin the “Rastko Nemanjic :barracks in Pancevo where the Special Brigade is stationed in the presence of the President of Serbia Boris Tadic, Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac, SAF CHOD LTG Miloje Miletic and the most responsible persons in the defense system as well as foreign military representatives.

President Tadic said that after two years since his last visit to SB, all that was planned had been carried out.

- Much has been invested into equipping the army, into facilities and military compounds given our financial circumstances and the crisis the consequences of which had been felt in the previous 18 months, so therefore all I can say that we have made significant progress, as Tadic said, adding that once again we have attended an exercise which demonstrated full SAF capabilities and the high level of our soldiers’ preparedness.

- When we talk of the Special Brigade all we can say that we have a fully professional brigade before us. This is the model which will be implemented as of next year in all our units. This does not mean that military service will be canceled, rather it will be made voluntary, said the president emphasizing that the bond between the army and citizens should not be broken as this bond will give them an insight into the army’s capabilities and the citizens can see what kind of army they fund.

At the same time we have full civil control of our army which is one of the standards in the world and even in Serbia.

At today’s exhibition of weapons and military equipment we saw new elements of armed systems, and new exhibits of our defense industry SDPR, our state-owned arms factory which, jointly with other companies, is working of new projects to develop new equipment and weapons, as Tadic stressed, reminding that an mutual agreement has been reached with the Ministries of Iraq and Algiers, the inking of agreements being preceded by political visits.

Tadic announced several very important foreign policy activities which will help defense industry products to find their way to foreign markets.

– Today when we are marking the Day of the Serbian Armed Forces we have to say that our army is fully enabled to protect our country and to take part in peace operations in the wake of great natural disasters, as the President stressed adding that the Special Brigade was trained to help civilians in contingency situations, such as floods and terrorist acts.

Tadic also remarked that the army was part of the civil activities in protecting the citizens of Serbia.

– I want to congratulate the Day of the Serbian Armed Forces to all its members and to congratulate them on their success despite the economic crisis it has faced, as SAF are becoming an essential component of our foreign policy, as it has contributed much to Serbia’s international credibility.

– In years to come we are preparing to modernize the army and I am confident that we will soon renew our capacities. Our soldiers will continue the training system which makes them superior in comparison to other regional armies, and we have been witnesses of this in joint exercises and peace operations in the world.

The president said that the Serbian armed forces would participated in these operations under UN auspices, with the approval of the National Assembly which will halp our country’s reputation.

As regards the Kosovo issue, Tadic stated that over a year ago we had launched an initiative regarding the Military Technical Agreement and that we wanted to relax the Ground Security Zone.

This is something we should not talks rather we should act, establish partner relations with security institutions. I have recently had the same talk with the Secretary General of the NATO and I expect our Ministry of Defense to continue with these activities, and to share any results we may have with our citizens. I can assure the public that we have every reason to be optimistic, as Serbia can be a serious partner, a predictable partner as it has not breached any international agreement, of the Military Technical Agreement or any other.

Tadic reiterated that the Kosovo problem should be solved through diplomatic means. That is a respectable fact in international policy and we will persevere on this course. This is the only way to raise the credibility of our country and to contribute to our citizens through results, as the president concluded.

Answering reporter’s questions how the military will be equipped, he said that the budget had been significantly different in previous years, but that this year is by far the worst, not only for Serbia but for other armies as well.

-Few armies used their budget for equipping and other investments so any citizen is aware that once we have registered economic growth we can talk of equipping by taking loans but only favorable loans with a significant grace period. Underscoring that he was considering various options, he remarked that equipping would continue any way.

The economic growth rate for 2010 is envisioned to reach 2%, and that after this period it will probably reach 5 %. Only these conditions can enable us to make new budgetary policy. President reminded that equipping plans are made for 5-year periods and these assessments should be realistic.

The current government will not consider the issue of obtaining NATO membership till the end of its mandate

- Therefore any referendum regarding obtaining NATO membership are superfluous as no country in the world would call a referendum about what it did not want, but they want.

There would be no shift in the position of military neutrality, as the president mentioned.

We want to establish good relations with all the countries in the world, and as we are committed to defending our country and maintaining peace, we want to contribute to peace in the region and the world.

President Boris Tadic vowed on Sunday (February 14th) that Serbia will continue its fight against organised crime, and urged other Balkan countries to do the same. After a ceremony in Pancevo to mark Army Day, Tadic called for regional co-operation against crime bosses. He added that efforts to fight corruption will continue as well. Regarding calls to hold early elections, Tadic said he expects the cabinet to complete its term, which expires in 2012.

-However, there have been no clear signals even from EU regarding the joint actions against organized crime. I will address this issue and will bring it up in the talks with my European partners and colleagues, since the crack down on organized crime does not only protect Serbian citizens but EU citizens too.
The ceremony also included exhibition of weapons and equipment as well as an exercise.