07.12.2011.

Opening of exhibition "Through Australian eyes"

An exhibition of photographs " Through Australian eyes: Australian civilian mission in Afghanistan" was opened today in the Military Museum in Kalemgdan by State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Zoran Jevtic and Australian Ambassador to Serbia Helena Studdert

Photos convey a message about the involvement of civilians in the Australian building and strengthening the Afghan state and social institutions in the post war country. They show not only the dedication to helping civilians and courage, but also their enthusiasm, optimism and initiative.

Addressing the audience at the opening ceremony, State Secretary Zoran Jevtic expressed his satisfaction that the Ministry of Defence, in cooperation with the Military Museum hosts the exhibition.

"Peacekeeping Operations and their role in Serbia are seen mainly through the role of the military. The role of civilians, which is just as important, perhaps more important, is not as represented. If we recall that Australian civilians along with members of other nations, built 10 000 kilometers of roads in Afghanistan, if the number of pupils in schools compared to the numbers of 2001 has year increased from one million to seven million, if the loans had been given to 250 000, 70 percent for women and if we know that the level of primary health care was raised from ten to eighty-five percent of the total population of Afghanistan, surely we can recognize the important role of civil experts in peacekeeping missions, especially in that part which relates to post-conflict period, "said Secretary of State Jeftic adding to perceive time and capacity of the Republic of Serbia and to participation by our civilian experts could take in peacekeeping operations in order to contribute the same.

Australian Ambassador Helena Studdert stressed that Australia sees its role in today's world by providing assistance to those countries and those nations most in need.

"Our role can be seen through the assistance they provided primarily in the Urusgan province in Afghanistan. I also followed with great interest the reforms through which the defense system in Serbia was going through and the efforts of the Ministry to implement them. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the efforts made by the Serbian government to increase the number of peacekeeping forces with which Serbia is participating in the UN and the European Union, "said Australian Ambassador in our country, adding that Australia was satisfied with what had been achieved hoping that Serbia would continue to work in that direction.

Ambassador Studdert eventually pointed out that Australia would seek a non-permanent seat in UN Security Council for 2013-2014. Their mission in Afghanistan bespeaks of the huge responsibility they have for the United Nations.

The opening of the exhibition, which will last until 25 December, was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Army of Serbia, Australia's military attaches in Serbia, as well as the ambassadors of France and the United States to Serbia,