24.10.2011.

Minister presents keys to flats in Valjevo

Minister Sutanovac visited the garrison of Valjevo. On that occasion he was in the "Milorad Pavlovic" barracks where he handed the keys of the apartments to professional and retired members of the Serbian Army and toured the site Djenovac''2'', where the planned construction of prefabricated houses for the Army is in progress.

“Today we presented thirteen keys of new flats to members of the Serbian Army, retired and active military personnel. In Valjevo, we still have to give keys to the four apartments and another three apartments, which ready for use when members of the armed forces move into new ]apartments, "said Sutanovac in his address to reporters.

He said the Ministry of Defense policy is to resolve the housing issues for as many army members as soon as possible.

"We are on the right track to establish a new way of solving the housing issues here in Valjevo. The reforms we put great emphasis on social issues of the Army, and this year will, as never before with the result in less than two thousand settled housing. A new way of solving the housing problem, which I hope will be an example for the future is just through the resolution of small residential houses and that will be the first time placed in Valjevo. These are similar to those homes that are placed in Kraljevo and we believe that this will be a new way of housing to meet the needs of both cities, as well as members of the Serbian Army and military retirees, "said the minister.

New tenants will pay off the flats on the basis of a list that is transparent and is on the website of the Ministry of Defence.

According to the minister of defense in previous years the personnel had problems to pay off the apartments, but for some time now MoD has had no complaints or letters.

"I am convinced that this is the best way possible. Certainly there are those who believe that they should be ranked higher on the list, but the list is very clearly specified and leaves no space for anyone to be privileged in being given a flat.

During the tour of locations ?enovac''2'', where the planned construction of prefabricated houses for the Army is planned, Sutanovac said that this was a location without any prospects owned by the Ministry of Defence.

- In order to continue with resolving housing problems of active and retired members of the defense system and in line with the previously made agreements, this locations is designated for building houses that will help to take care of members of the Army. But also, there is a remarkable interest of other state agencies to start the construction of residential units on the site for their employees- said Sutanovac stressing that this is a pilot project, which involves the engagement of local government and the Ministry of Defence.

According to Minister of Defence, at the aforementioned location, 51 individual housing units are planned to be built on this site and the capacity of the whole site is 450 housing units. This leaves about 155 individuals in need of housing, so that 300 positions will be open to the possibility of solving housing issues in consultation with the local government or other state institutions.

The total value of this investment when it comes to building a house is about one million euros, and the value of infrastructure works compensates for unaffordable parts of local government property. Anyone who is given the possibility of solving their housing problem in this way will also get a garden and a parking space which is not the case when the apartments in blocks are given- as Sutanovac remarked. He expressed confidence that as soon as spring the residents community will get keys to new flats, which will completely change the whole picture once this military micro colony moves into new flats.

Speaking about the importance of the Djenovac 2, Mayor of Valjevo Zoran Jakovljevic said that the city authorities were working on providing basic infrastructure to ensure the start of works as soon as possible, and that geo-examinations are in progress.

-We all have a shared interest as some 47 acres have been placed for disposal as envisioned by the Master Plan. Since there was a settlement nearby already and an infrastructure, the decision was reached to go on with the project, which would serve the interests of all parties.

The plan is to build two room apartments of 58 square meters, 2.5 room flats of 68 sqm and a three-room house of 78 square meters to be installed on 2.5 acre lot.

ANSWERS TO REPORTERS QUESTIONS

Asked by reporters about the fate of Valjevo barracks "Kadinjaca", Sutanovac said that these barracks for are considered cost ineffective which is why the government of Serbia has placed it within the Master Plan. According to an estimate made by the Tax Administration the barracks worth is estimated at 1.7 million EUR.

"We have already started talks with the local government in order to exchange the barracks for flats as was the case with the Military Club which was exchanged for a housing block to be built. I hear the city wants to develop in that area and it is an incentive for us, because the Ministry of Defence wants to help the development of cities and local governments and do it really loud. According to past experience where military personnel are moving leaps standard. Today, salaries and pensions of military personnel slightly higher than the average in Serbia, we are creating a micro climate that is positive and is good for the economy in the micro-climate, "said the minister.

When asked about the number of Army soldiers who are waiting to receive housing, the Minister said that the apartments is around twelve thousand, as retirees, and active military personnel. Among them were many young officers, but a large number of military retirees.

There is no category of homeless military. Today we had a chance to see the majors with a family of four who told us that he received about 16 thousand on the basis of unresolved housing issues, and he fulfilled it with these obligations, so that all members of the Army of Serbia receive some funds from which they can rent adequate housing. Speaking of social policy today no one can say that there are homeless or military that they have forgotten, "said Sutanovac.

At the end of the visit of Defence Minister met with representatives of municipal authorities.