27.10.2010.

Minister gives a lecture to cadets at the MA

Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac in the Conference Hall of the Military Academy held the first in this school year to the 135th class of youngest cadets. Opening lecture of the Minister of Defence traditionally marks the beginning of undergraduate studies at the Military Academy.

On that occasion, the cadets and their colleagues who are studying for professional military service, were informed of the main results of the Ministry of Defence in the past.

Congratulating them on selecting the military profession as their future call and on their success in the entrance exam, Sutanovac said that since top 244, including 56 girls were selected among 1259 applicants. Every year the number of candidates was increasing, entrance exam was getting more difficult, as illustrated by the data that this year there were 371 candidates with excellent GPA and 576 candidates with an average B+ grade in high school. This youngest class has an obligation to prove that they were worthy of the trust deposited in them, stressed the minister. " and the general public’s rising interest for the Military Academy means increased confidence in the Serbian Army," said Minister of defense minister.

Minister began his expose by stressing various difficulties the burdening the defense system in the previous period especially the financial crisis, which, according to him, resulted in the military budget cuts, however positive results of this are obvious. The main indicators of this trend, as he said, were an ever increasing trust in the military especially in the interest in the military educational system, lively international activity and the process of professionalization.

According to Minister Sutanovac, the representatives of the defenses system of all countries "from Ankara to Vienna" are striving to maintain an open dialogue with the common aim being to maintain regional security and stability. He talked about the importance of integration processes in the context of prevention of organized crime and asymmetric threats which our region is exposed to. Šutanovac reminded that a significant segment of the future involvement of the Army will be in multinational operations, which, as he assessed, would be beneficial to Serbia in defending its national interests, reminding the attendees of the latest mission where our peacekeepers are deployed, namely in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

The Defense Minister said that there were significant improvements in establishing a the command system and chain, pointing out that from the first day of their career would depend on the achieved success and personal commitment, adding, that along the way, they would be competing with the members of their but also of other classes as well..

Priorities in the future, as Sutanovac emphaszied, would be completing the process of professionalization, modernization and equipment, as well as joint training and greater participation in peacekeeping missions of the EU and the UN. In addition, active participation in Partnership for Peace Program, the strengthening of regional cooperation, intensifying bilateral military cooperation, especially in military economy, and education and training of MoD and SAF abroad would be the focus of the defense system.

The reform of military education, according to the Minister of Defence, would enable the education of cadets on modern standards, as the study programs are adjusted to the current demands of the university education in Serbia and in line with the Bologna Declaration. At the same time, he said, in addition to the diploma of the Military Academy, the cadets will be awarded a diploma that is recognized in the structures outside of the defense system.

When it comes to the standards of cadets, they will be provided with favorable conditions for work, and a new computer network was put into operation, while a small compensation the cadets receive has also been raised.

"The best is the best" said Minister cadets, stressing that he would do his best to improve the working and living conditions at the academy, and it is up to them to perform their obligations and achieve better success.

Cadets, after the lecture, had the opportunity to pose questions to the Minister of Defence concerning current problems and the basic directions of state policy concerning the defense system.