08.02.2013.
Reception on occasion of sending a SAF Lt.Col. to the war college in Paris
In the residence of the French Embassy a reception was held today on the occasion of sending Lt. Col. Luka Jovanovic in the War College in Paris. The ceremony was, among other guests, attended by French Ambassador in Belgrade Francois Xavier Deniau and State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Aleksandar Nikolic.State Secretary Lt. Col. Nikolic wished Lt. Col. Jovanpvic success in this prestigious school in Paris, and expressed hope that the following year Serbia would have more candidates to go to France.
- This is certainly a good sign of the quality and long-lasting friendship between our two countries and, if possible, a chance to improve the existing good bilateral relations that we have had so far. We will try to send candidates better than the previous generation hoping they will return better and will incorporate their knowledge of our defense system and help their colleagues to be part of it, said Nikolic.
Defence Attaché of the Embassy of France in Belgrade, also the Chief of Defence Mission, Colonel Fabrice Dida said that Lieutenant Colonel Jovanovic is the 11th attendee of the French Military School (Ecole de Guerre) where the studies last 18 months.
- This is a school that annually brings together 300 students, third of whom came from 75 allied and friendly countries. You can be proud of the students who go to training because they return with high marks. I hope that the knowledge they gain in France will allow the strengthening of our bilateral relations and greater cooperation, said Col. Dida.
This training at the level of general staff course focuses on the education of future command staff, with particular emphasis on the analysis and prediction of European and global situation, along with predicting strategies and skills of warfare, interdepartmental activities, security, management, and economic issues in the field of defense.Lieutenant Colonel Jovanovic’s trip to Paris is a good opportunity to exchange experiences improve the quality of our staff.
- It is very important for the defense system to have officers and professional soldiers who are studying in other countries, so that lessons learned can be applied in our system. For me it is a matter of prestige, because it is not an insignificant thing to educate yourself in an institution such as the War College in Paris. I expect to primarily gain knowledge in the field, then share experiences and make new friends.
This representative of the Serbian Armed forces, who has completed an intensive French language course, is going to Paris with his wife and child. In addition to the overall cost of covered training, Lieutenant Colonel Jovanovic has been awarded a scholarship that covers the cost of living.
