05.08.2014.

Keys to new apartments at "Stepa Stepanovic" handed over

Уручени кључеви нових станова у насељу „Степа Степановић“

Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic handed over today keys to 24 newly constructed apartments at the location of the former “Vojvoda Stepa Stepanovic” barracks in Belgrade to active and retired members of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of Serbia.

Congratulating the new owners, Minister said that, step by step, after 101 days of the Government being in office, we are getting closer to the 1000 apartments given to members of the Armed Forces of Serbia.

- We have also allocated significant means for providing loans for our members who wish to buy new apartments via loans – Defence Minister said, expressing his hope that the Ministry of Defence, in cooperation with the Republic Directorate for Property, would soon resolve the residential issue for more members of the defence system.

- The criteria for awarding apartments are clearly defined, so we have no complaints to that part, but we do have problems with getting exploitation permits – Minister of Defence said, explaining that it is precisely why moving into some apartments is still on hold, especially in Pirot and Vranje.

Minister Gasic announced changes at the Military Construction Center and the Military Construction Directorate, because “the process needs to be accelerated and waiting is no longer an option”.

When asked about the success of the Ministry he had been heading during the first 100 days of the Government, Minister stressed the engagement of the Armed Forces during the floods and in the following period, pointing out that “thus, the Armed Forces of Serbia have once again shown that they always stand by their people”.

Today’s key handover was attended by Head of the General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic, representatives of the Military Construction Centre “Beograd” and the Military Construction Directorate, and the Director of the Construction Directorate of Serbia Nebojsa Furlan.

Until today, active and retired members of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Serbia have moved into 678 apartments, and 102 more are reserved for them at the residential and office complex “Stepa Stepanovic”.