26.02.2026.
Minister Gašić attends ceremony marking Financial Service Day
Today, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić attended a ceremony marking Financial Service Day, held at the Guard Club in Topčider.
On the occasion of the anniversary, Acting Assistant Minister of Defence for Budget and Finance Goran Momčilović presented Minister Gašić with a plaque. In his address, the Minister of Defence emphasized that Financial Service Day is dedicated to a profession that represents one of the key pillars of stability within the defence system.
- There can be no powerful military without sound financial management, nor a stable country without responsible management of public funds. As early as in 1835, the Sretenje Constitution laid down the rule that military expenditures must be managed conscientiously and responsibly. From that provision, the financial function evolved, growing stronger over the decades alongside the Serbian state and its armed forces. Today, 191 years later, the Financial Service is a well-structured, professional, and indispensable part of the defence system, present in every unit and institution – the Minister of Defence said.
Highlighting that the Budget and Finance Sector, the Ministry’s central financial authority, ensures the cohesion of the financial system and the stable operation of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, Minister Gašić noted that managing one of the most complex budget systems in the country requires great knowledge, the highest level of expertise, and continuous professional development.- The Financial Service has demonstrated its ability to keep pace with modern trends and was among the first to introduce advanced information systems into its operations. The new accounting and payroll systems have further enhanced the efficiency and transparency of operations. A modern military requires fast, accurate, and reliable financial data as a basis for decision-making. For that reason, digital transformation remains an ongoing priority in the period ahead – Minister Gašić stated.
He emphasized that we are living in a time of complex and unpredictable security challenges, and that, in such circumstances, the Republic of Serbia has clearly defined its course – to remain neutral, independent, and capable of protecting its interests on its own.
- Military neutrality is not a declaration, but a responsibility. It entails strength, capability, and readiness. This capability is built systematically and over the long term – primarily through stable and responsible defence funding. That is why the defence budget has grown steadily over the past decade. In cooperation with the Serbian Government and with the strong support of the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, defence spending increased from 1.36 percent of GDP in 2013 to 2.63 percent in 2025. Alongside overall economic growth, the defence budget is now five times larger than it was ten years ago – the Minister of Defence said.Minister Gašić emphasized that these investments have not remained mere figures, but have ensured the modernization of weapons, improvements in equipment, and considerable enhancement of the capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces.
- These results are the product of your work. Your expertise, discipline, and precision have made it possible to plan realistically, use funds responsibly, and ensure that every dinar is spent with the aim of strengthening the defence system. As Minister of Defence, I especially value the fact that the execution of the Ministry’s Financial Plan for 2025 reached 99.92 percent. This is more than just a number, it is proof that that the system works, that planning is responsible, and that defence funds are used fully and in a disciplined manner. I must congratulate you and thank you for that – Minister Gašić said.
Speaking to members of the Financial Service, Minister Gašić highlighted that they continue a tradition spanning two centuries – from the restoration of Serbian statehood to the present. - That tradition obliges you to continue being an example of expertise, integrity, and responsibility in managing resources that belong to all citizens of Serbia. You should be proud of your profession. It might not be the most visible one, but it is one of the most responsible ones – the Minister of Defence stated.
Acting Assistant Minister for Budget and Finance Momčilović presented plaques and certificates of appreciation to distinguished individuals and institutions in recognition of their successful cooperation.
Addressing those present, Assistant Minister Momčilović noted that today is a day to honour the work of numerous members of the Serbian Armed Forces who may not be visible in formation on the parade ground, but without whom no military formation could stand, no unit could function, and no military mission could be executed. He emphasized that at the core of the Financial Service’s work is genuine care for the soldier, because “the soldier is the lifeblood of every army”.
- The Financial Service of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces should be viewed as the invisible force behind visible military power, the foundation that is unseen, yet supports the whole structure. Today is a day to acknowledge and honour the expertise, dedication, decisiveness, and responsibility that members of the Financial Service have upheld for 191 years – said Acting Assistant Minister Momčilović. He added that this historic role of the Financial Service comes with a responsibility to continue advancing the digital agenda in the coming years, through the development and implementation of new modules and the introduction of new information systems.A film produced by the “Zastava Film” Military Film Centre of the Public Relations Department, presenting the history and achievements of the Financial Service, was screened at today’s ceremony.
The celebration of the holiday and anniversary was attended by members of the collegiums of the Minister of Defence and the Chief of the General Staff, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, as well as numerous guests.
Financial Service Day is observed in remembrance of the day, 191 years ago, when the Decree on the Composition of the State Council and the Prince’s Cabinet formally established military budget and accounting system within the Serbian Army.
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