12.11.2010.

The reception on occasion of the Day of the Military Security Agency

On the occasion of the 12th November, the Day of the Military Security Agency in the building of the old General Staff a reception was held which was attended by the President of Serbia Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, Deputy Prime Minister Jovan Krkobabic, Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic, SAF CHOD Lieutenant General Miloje Miletic, President of the Supreme Court Nata Mesarovic, BIA (Security -Intelligence Agency) Director Sasa Vukadinovic, the top representatives of the defense system, foreign military and diplomatic representatives, representatives of religious communities and numerous public figures of the country.

President Tadic started his address by emphasizing the importance of VBA (Military Security Agency) for security and the defense system in the country. When we are facing global economic and financial shifts, according to President Tadic, there has always been an increase in security challenges therefore it is necessary that competent services are doing good work, with the utmost seriousness and diligence.

- So I want to congratulate you for everything you have done in the reform process, not only during this year but over the past decade. We are now at the end of the decade when we have to summarize our results and one of them is certainly in the field of security - said Tadic.

Remembering the days when he took over the post of the Minister of Defense, the president reminded that the challenges of corruption and organized crime in the defense sector were extremely high.

- I can with great pride say today that the report of General Kovac, the first man VBA, clearly states that these challenges no longer threaten the very foundations of our security and defense system, which does not mean that we should not pay attention to such risks and in the future -the president said. Serbian President said that in defense reform, and within VBA as part of the reforms, excellent results have been achieved, for which he congratulated the Director of the Agency Svetko Kovac and all members of the Ministry of Defense and VBA.

Boris Tadic stated that in the past decade there has been no significant equipping of the Army or security services, despite the technological advances in the field of defense and the challenges we face in this part of Southeast Europe and despite objective security needs of the country. He added that unfortunately Serbia had had no money this year either to procure new equipment for the armed forces as Serbia, as we were unexpectedly hit by the global economic crisis.

The president said that the year 2011 would be very difficult and complex, pointing out that this information should not be hidden from the public, which does not mean that economic policy measures cannot provide society's stability and better prospects for the upcoming year.

- I'm sure that if we have the strength to be honest with the citizens, given the economic situation Serbia is in and the challenges we face, and ask them for support, very openly and honestly in accordance with development plans and projections that is attainable and achievable, we will be able to maintain political stability and security - said the president.

He expressed confidence that 2011 will be the year when w hope the economic hardships would decrease, and that we will be able to open prospects for 2012 and 2013 with the predictable economic growth of 3 to 5 % with a view of raising the standard of living, and to reduce the challenges and threats related to the security sector.

The President noted that the people who work in the security sector have withstood the high pressures as they have been implementing reforms in very complex years behind us, as it is much easier to carry out reforms in times of economic prosperity.

- In the past two years we have dropped in the economic sense since 2008, but I am sure, that with a sufficient level of seriousness, readiness for the challenges that await us during this year, we can expect better days hoping that citizens will feel improvement in 15 months from now- as the President stressed.

He pointed out that, despite financial difficulties, we have seen some good results in terms of loan rating, education, investments, fighting corruption and organized crime, all very encouraging facts. Therefore, we should not boast, should rather tell the citizens openly that difficulties are still ahead of us. But the citizens, he added, should know that there is a plan on how to resolve those in time to come.

President Tadic said, ending his speech that he expected VBA to perform its duties well in the future too, because the safety of citizens and the security of the defense system, which should provide the security and the country, are our top priority

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This year's celebration of 12 November - Day of the Military Security Agency, marks the end of the planned reform of the military security services - said the director of VBA Svetko Kovac, noting that this is the year when the reforms initiated in 2002 will be finalized

- When we made the reform plan, many thought that would be a long period, believing that military security services should be reformed more quickly. It was our belief then, and today we are absolutely sure that this is a very optimal period and that the security services cannot be reformed in a short time if we want to make fundamental changes - said Smith.

He added that the competent authorities and professional community would evaluate the success of reforms, noting that the VBA is very satisfied with the results achieved. This year, all the by-laws to implement the law on the VBA were passed, as Svetko Kovac noted, thus finalizing the normative legal framework for the Agency.

- Past practice has shown that these are good solutions in order to provide operational and functional capacity of the Agency - said Smith, adding that significant changes have bene made in the selection, training and education of staff of the VBA. Furthermore, VBA has seen a growing interest of citizens to work in the service, as illustrated by the much greater number of candidates than is stated in the contest.

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The Agency is equipped with modern operational and technical resources, and has significantly improved its operational doctrine and methodology, thus enlarging its total capacity - said the director of the WBA. Besides, he added, the Agency by the Government of Serbia, won a new visual identity, character and legitimacy of the service.

Today, the Military Security Agency is a contemporary, modern military counterintelligence service, capable to successfully protect our country's defense system, as Kovac remarked, adding that the reform process continues and that the agency is adapting to new demands and needs. In parallel with reforming, he said, the service did not allow surprises in its core business of security and counterintelligence protection, which indicates a good preventive function of the Agency, and other parts of the security system of the Ministry of Defence and the Republic of Serbia.

- Significant results were achieved in combating organized criminal activity and corruption, which deserves an even stronger opposition and prevention - said Smith.

The Military Security Agency has prepared an exhibition dedicated to the development of military security services, documents, articles and video materials, which, as Director Kovac pointed out, had been shown to the public for the first time.