15.06.2011.
Minister's address at the opening of the Conference
Respected Generals and Admirals, Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to welcome you once again as the host of this year's Strategic Conference for military partners. I invite you to openly exchange views on military matters relevant to regional and global security during the conference. I expect that the "After Lisbon: implementing the transformation” conference will try to offer innovative approaches to effective capacity building through dialogue and cooperation in the defense, to consider access to shared global resources and directions of development of partnerships and cooperation.
We are aware that security challenges, risks and threats the contemporary world is facing confirm the existence of the absolute interdependence of states and indivisibility of international security. It turned out that the contemporary security challenges are of transnational character, and that no country, regardless of its size and economic power, its military force, police or security services is not able to be alone with their choices. We can see that the security agenda of the Alliance, in addition to traditional security threats, today includes combat threats to cyber-space, solving problems of climate change and energy security, which are all, as you will agree, the challenges of all mankind.
Dialogue, partnership and joint commitment to achieving, maintaining and improving safety are the basis for a successful response in case of its disruption today. Cooperative approach to common security includes the strengthening of mutual cooperation between states and other subjects of international relations.
The extent of cooperation will be a standard to measure success in ensuring peace and stability that are essential to every society and every state. Non-cooperation does not exclude, however, the impact of interdependent threats but rather multiplies the risks and certainly leads to destabilization.
Dear Colleagues,
Only if every country in the world builds and implements its security and defense policy, loyal cooperation and the progress of their own region and the international community as a whole in a transparent way, we can say that we have reached a spirit of unity and that we share common values.
The Republic of Serbia has contributed to this goal through a clear commitment to actively participate in the "Partnership for Peace" and build relationships of trust with partners and NATO allies on the basis of long-term cooperation and common action.
We are fully committed to contributing to the development of the region, strengthening good neighborly relations and resolving all problematic issues through dialogue and cooperation, as has been proven by a number of cooperation agreements that we signed over the years.
By participating in the activities of the Partnership for Peace, the Republic of Serbia wants to contribute to maintaining peace and security, among other things, through increased participation in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and the beginning of involvement in EU missions.
After the Decision of the National Assembly of Serbia on the suspension of military conscript duty, the Serbian Army of 1 January 2011. Today we only have professional units.
The process of professionalization of the armed forces has been successfully completed. The Serbian Army has according to many public opinion polls an institution the Serbian citizens have most trust in. One indicator of such a relationship is the high interest of young people to enroll the Military High School and Military Academy. WE are just in the process of completing the enrollment of new cadets where we have eight candidates for one vacancy.
The current year will be significant in terms that this is the first year that first women officers will have graduate from the Academy, with the female pilots as being the first in the history of Serbian air force.I am convinced that the main strategic objectives of the Republic of Serbia in defense and security, such as building an efficient and economically viable defense system, a modern and professional army and its capabilities in accordance with its defined missions and tasks are the primary goals of all democratic, accountable states.
Let me finally point out my satisfaction at seeing that the Republic of Serbia has significantly improved collaboration and partnership with NATO in the previous decade. The top priority interest of the Republic of Serbia is to participate actively in regional initiatives and activities of the “Partnership for Peace" Program, with the aim of improving cooperation in defense and security, strengthening peace, stability and trust and promote the Republic of Serbia as a responsible and reliable partner.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for your attention and once again I would like to express my pleasure at having the opportunity to discuss such serious topics right here in Belgrade aware of all the emotions of the past burdening us, but fully committed to the future.
