09.05.2011.

Awarding commemorative medals to international peacekeepers

On the occasion of the Day of Victory over fascism and the Day of Europe, Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac presented a military commemorative medals to participants in multinational operations. On that occasion, he honored 40 members of the Serbian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence seven of whom are on duties as staff officers and 33 general and logistical duties.

The ceremony in the Great Hall was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic, Deputy Chief of General Staff Major-General Milan Bjelica, by representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Army of Serbia, diplomatic and military diplomatic corps, international organizations and NGOs.

Congratulating members of the Defense Ministry and the Serbian Armed Forces on the award they were presented , Sutanovac said that our country throughout history had always been committed to the ideas and goals of the League of Nations and later the United Nations.
- By engaging members of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Focres of Serbia outside its borders in an international environment, in accordance with national and state interests, we contribute to peace and security in the territory of the Republic of Serbia, in the region and beyond- said Sutanovac adding that this was our way of continuing the almost six decades long tradition of participation in multinational operations of the United Nations.

After being engaged peacekeeping operations in Sinai in 1956, as the minister recalled, Serbia's participation in peacekeeping operations under the mandate of the United Nations continued until 2002. In this way we fulfill our international obligations stemming from membership of our country at the United Nations.

- This is a strong argument for our foreign policy to achieve its national and state interests as Sutanovac remarked, adding that in relations with other countries, Serbia has been treated as an equal partner. He stressed that the future involvement of our peacekeepers in multinational operations mandated by the European Union, under the common security and defense policy, our country was integrated into this important area of activity of the European Union.

This year, according to the Minister of Defence, our members will be deployed in multinational operations in the Congo, Republic of Cyprus, Liberia, Côte d Ivoire, Lebanon and the Middle East in peace in the United Nations and the European Union operations.

- We are particularly pleased that members of the Ministry of Defense and the Army of Serbia the number of those who opted to participate in multinational operations has increased, which is also a trend among the members of our police force, who are currently engaged in Haiti and in Liberia - emphasized Minister of Defence .

- In particular, I would like to stress the engagement of female members of the Ministry of Defense and the Army of Serbia, as their capabilities are at the same level as their colleagues’- said Sutanovac expressing his confidence among the future female officer who would soon finish her education would be interested in participating in multinational operations