01.09.2012.

Reception for "Batajnica air show" participants

First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Ljubisa Dikovic held at the Palace of Serbia a reception for participants for "Batajnica 2012" air show last night.

The ceremony was attended by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, the members of the Government, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Army, the diplomatic corps, the pilots who are performing at the air show and representatives of public and cultural life.

Minister Vucic said on the occasion that this day was a great opportunity, "even though we are a small country territorially and a have relatively small pupation, we are equally great and proud of our desire to be equal with the modern world."

We will demonstarte that our pilots and our technique can be compared to those who have visited our country for the first time in 25 years such as the Russian Federation and the United States and many European countries, said Defence Minister thanking the guests who came from all over the world .

"We want peace. Not only in the region but everywhere and in this respect our military can help other continents. I would like to emphasize that we will try to learn from the world what we do not know, and what we know we shall use in the best way for development of Serbian industry and economy, "said Vucic.

Welcoming the crowd on behalf of the Serbian Army, General Dikovic pointed out that this was a significant anniversary, a century of Serbian military aviation.

In 1912, Serbia was one of the 15 countries in the world that have had their own aircrafts, and shortly after, was one of the four countries with its aircrafts used in combat. It is a tradition worthy of admiration, and above all, respect - said General Dikovic saying this was a great opportunity to show our associates and friends from many countries the ability of our pilots at air shows and also an opportunity to remember and all those who lost their lives in the fighting for the freedom of Serbia.

According to him, the Serbian Air Force can expect better days, and the investment in the military is just as investing in the country's sovereignty and integrity.