03.06.2014.

Promotion of the book on security and defence aspects of Serbia's EU accession

In the Ceremonial Hall of the Central Military Club today, promotion of the book “Security and defence aspects of the Republic of Serbia’s accession to the European Union" by group of authors was held.

Speakers about the book were Jadranka Joksimovic, Minister without portfolio responsible for EU Integration in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Tanja Miscevic, PhD, Head of Negotiating Team for Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union, Colonel Katarina Strbac, project coordinator, Prof. Vladimir Cvetkovic, and Prof. Dragan Simic, the reviewers and Snezana Djokic, editor of the book.

Minister Joksimovic said that the book is an extensive work that has elements of a rounded and comprehensive work in the field of security and defence.

- I would call also upon other institutions, among the institutions dealing with issues of importance to foreign policy and national security, to pursue a proactive approach taken by the Ministry of Defence with regard to this important matter. Sector policy is very important, and the Ministry of Defence shows great success in this by such projects and ventures. It is important for all of us involved in the negotiation process. I believe that this study will have a new impression, and will certainly be put to practical knowledge during the negotiation process, Minister Joksimovic said.

Head of the Negotiating Team for Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union spoke about the importance of publishing the study, the negotiation process and the good cooperation with the European Defence Agency.

- These segments will be discussed a lot in the coming years, also with the Member States, because the transfer of the best practices of Member States can certainly help and reduce time and costs. As one of the important segments of our alignment, we perceive the fields of defence and security as our capability and potential for further development of improving knowledge in this area, Tanja Miscevic said.

According to Colonel Katarina Strbac, the importance of security and defence activities of the European Union and the fact that the membership of it carries certain rights and obligations in the areas of defence security, have been recognised gradually in our country.

- Recognizing the need for approaching this important topic, at the end of 2009, the Strategic Research Institute has launched a scientific research project entitled Security and defence aspects of the Republic of Serbia’s accession to the European Union. With this study, we wished to start the process of preparing the defence system for taking certain obligations under the concept of the European Union common security and defence policy. We are providing this study today for the scrutiny of the scientific and social public, but it is indisputable that it represents a pioneering work in the Serbian language, which is a good basis for the further course of the negotiations in the area of common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy, Colonel Strbac said.

Professor Cvetkovic pointed out that the book “Security and defence aspects of the Republic of Serbia’s accession to the European Union" will be read even in 50 years as a good document of the time in which it was made. He also pointed out that for all our politicians, researchers and students this work is a document that will serve as a good tool for their own research.

According to Professor Simic, the book is large and essentially and substantially rich in quality.

- This collection of papers was created at one time and bears the stamp of that time. It managed to overcome an ideologisation or political level, and to professionally set the facts that are sufficient for politics to make right choices, Simic said.

According to the group of authors, this is the first book in Serbia, which seriously and arguably addresses some recent trends in security relations within the European Union, and also the relations of this organization with continental and global environment. Profession, knowledge, expertise and reputation of a large number of members of the research team who participated in its compilation are guarantor of values and importance of this scientific endeavour. Therefore, the resulting scientific and theoretical knowledge make an indispensable starting point for better understanding of the security processes, strategic foreign policy and security commitments of the Republic of Serbia.