06.06.2011.

Briefing to the retired generals and admirals

Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac briefed today, in the Great War Hall of the old General Staff building, members of the Serbian Club of Generals and Admirals about the most important steps in defence reform in the past four years.

The gathering was attended by General Miloje Miletic, the Serbian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, members of the Collegium of the Minister of Defence, and the highest rank officers of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the issues of status, social security and standards of military pensioners.

On that occasion, Minister Sutanovac pointed out that the primary cycle of the reform was finished on 15 May, and that this was the way to present it to the senior officers that were once at the most important positions in the defence system.

Speaking about the most important results of the Ministry of Defence in the previous period, Minister referred to the segments of professionalization of our military, which has contributed to raising the reputation of that institution in the society, which was disturbed in the previous times.

Minister Sutanovac emphasized that this year, compared to the year 2008, the budget of the Ministry is lower by 175 million US dollars, but nevertheless the data show that the utilisation of the funds today is far more efficient than in the previous years.

According to him, the military budget so reduced manages to pay expenses which also include military pensions. Minister said that about 80 percent of the military budget goes to personal costs, assessing that it represents a large effort for the system that does not have sufficient money especially for major equipping projects.

He recalled the most important events which will mark the current year, concluding his speech outlining the priorities for the future work.

President of the Assembly of the Club of Retired Generals and Admirals, General Retired Ljubisa Stojimirovi?, pointed out that today's meeting represents a renewal of the tradition which was interrupted more than a decade ago. According to him, the essence of such meetings is not only briefing, but what matters is respect and mutual understanding.

Following the meeting, the retired admirals and generals had the opportunity to ask Minister Sutanovac questions and present their problems, suggested solutions and their views on current events at the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.