28.02.2014.

Medals awarded to members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces

Nebojsa Rodic, Minister of Defence at the technical government presented today on behalf of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic, 63 gold and silver medals for diligent service to members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces at a ceremony in the Great Hall of the old General Staff building.

Congratulating the winners, Minister Rodic expressed his belief that in the life of each individual the receiving of such an award is an event which remains permanently in his or her memory.

- I wish to congratulate you, both as a Minister of Defence and as a citizen of Serbia, and to thank you for working your job with the maximum commitment and love – Minister Rodic pointed out, adding that just as the power of a team is measured by the power of each individual, so every member of the defence system by his or her results influences on the capability of his or her team, and this is the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, making the armed forces to be a reliable support for all our citizens.

According to him, the decorations that the members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces have received today are only part of the recognition that they deserve for the outstanding results achieved during their service, but they are certainly among the most important features of the national identity.

- The state of Serbia shows this way that it sees and appreciates your human values, value them appropriately, fostering military honour, your work and your dedication. These days, I have heard the slogan: "When it is difficult – there comes our army!", and those few words show what people feel and think about the Serbian Armed Forces - Minister of Defence emphasized.

He pointed out that the Serbian Armed Forces was among the first who did a to lot to rescue and help its citizens and that such acts cannot remain unnoticed and unvalued.

- Today we have with us those who carry with them one of the greatest value, and it is a personal honour, and this time you are representing military honour in the state of Serbia – Minister Rodic told to the decorated members of the defence system, noting that the Serbian Armed Forces reaffirms its tradition, trying at the same time to be an equal partner to colleagues both in the region and in other countries where our members are performing their military duties.

Minister Rodic also expressed his belief that the decorated members will continue to responsibly perform their duties and that the other members will follow their example in the time to come.

Gold and silver medals for diligent service are state medals which is awarded for merits and outstanding results achieved in the performance of duties and tasks in the fields of defence and security.

The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff with the members of his collegium, as well as members of the collegium of the Minister of Defence.