16.09.2012.
Send-off for Serbian peace keepers
In the military base "Jug" in Bujanovac a send-off ceremony for the Serbian Army contingents to be deployed in multinational peacekeeping operations in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and in Lebanon (UNFIL) was held on Sunday.The flags of the Republic of Serbia Serbian were handed to the Serbian platoons by the Serbian Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ljubisa Dikovic, the event being attended by the Ambassador of Spain Arturo Beltrán Laclaustra, as well as foreign military attaches, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, including relatives and friends of soldiers and officers who will assume their peace keeping posts next week.
Addressing those gathered, SAF CHOD said that last year, after a long time, our state returned on the map of countries participating in multinational operations of the United Nations.
- In the last few years, the Serbian Army constantly strengthens its capacity, and only during the last years, we have developed the ability to increase the number of multiple members deployed in multinational operations of the UN and the European Union - said General Dikovic, adding that it confirms that the Serbian Army is able to respond to international obligations in the field of defense thus confirms its role in creating a positive image of Serbia in the world.
The Chief of General Staff said that members of the Serbian Army, in the best light, represent their country to the citizens of Cyprus, Lebanon, Liberia, Congo, Ivory Coast and other countries, where they are deployed to improve security in those countries.- In multinational operations, we are today sending off top professionals, who will perform all the tasks professionally and expertly, but they are primarily responsible people who help local people and are saving human lives - said General Dikovic, asserting that peacekeepers are professionals devoted to their work, who merited many awards and honors.
Addressing the soldiers and officers who are leaving for peacekeeping missions, the general recalled that this was a great challenge for them as they will meet different cultures and customs.
- The experience gained in missions in Cyprus and in Lebanon will mean a lot in his career, all that is good and desirable you will bring with you and use in their everyday work in the Serbian Army.
Wishing safe trip to our peacekeepers, Chief of General Staff stressed that after the taking up this challenge, a new goal lies before them- to carry the tasks safely, to act with integrity and humanity with all people they will be in contact with, in a manner that befits a soldier of the Army of Serbia, as both words and actions convey the message of peace and friendship.
Instead of his colleagues, who had previously carried out the tasks of Cyprus, 46 soldiers and officers are leaving for the island, after two months of joint preparation in Spain, 41 Serbian peacekeepers will be leaving for Lebannon. Serbian Army will thus have a total of 109 members in peace operations.
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