26.12.2013.

Minister Rodic answers the MPs' questions

Defence Minister Nebojsa Rodic suit today at the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia on the issue of MPs , together with other members of the government .

Deputy Dragan Šormaz asked Minister Rodic what the signing an agreement with the European Defence Agency means for Serbia and what the Ministry of Defence’s plans for next year mean when it comes to increasing the number of soldiers in the voluntary military service. Dragan Šormaz commented on the importance of investing in the defense industry and defense system in general.

Rodic Minister recalled that on 13 Administrative December signed an agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the European Defence Agency and the terms of the finalization of the project , which began in April 2011th year. The minister said that the document was signed at the end of the year because as of January 2014 the European Defence Agency will have a different structure , and that we have waited for the very act of signing for since October. Rodic said that the European Defence Agency brings together all EU countries except Denmark pointing out that Serbia will ghave biggest benefits from developing defense capabilities in the process of crisis management as well as the development of a single European market in weapons and military equipment, including research in this field

The Defence Minister said that the military budgets European Union were allocated 180 billion euros, 60 % of which were allocated for personnel costs and training operational capabilities levels, with the remainder being invested in the defense industry . Serbia as minister Rodic remarked , had to be involved in this process and now can benefit from it .

He stated the present that the statements that our defense industry products are sold exclusively in conflict zones were incorrect reminding that Belgium is one of the buyers , as well as other EU countries .

When asked about the soldiers in the voluntary military service Minister Rodic pointed out that the defense system , shortly after the abolition of compulsory military service , was faced with the fact that instead of the planned number of 500 persons, the number was twice as high, soon to be three times more .

He said that the intention of the Ministry of Defence for the next year is to admit 1800 instead of 1000 persons on voluntary military service because it is the cheapest way of getting high-quality professional staff stressing that other countries in the region were following this practice.