23.08.2014.

Minister Gasic visited Serbian peacekeeping units in Lebanon

Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic visited members of the Serbian Armed Forces in Lebanon deployed under the peacekeeping mission UNIFIL in observing, following and sustaining ceasefire and normalization of living conditions.

During talks with representatives of the UNIFIL, it has been stated that members of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Serbia are trained in adherence to the highest standards, that they are trained to conduct most difficult of tasks and that they have earned the trust of the rest of the foreign forces in the mission and the local people likewise.

Bratislav Gasic stressed that the Serbian peacekeeping forces are our best ambassadors, that a Serbian soldier is respected worldwide and that he is therefore not surprised by the growing number of invitations for deployment in missions under the mandate of the UN and the EU.

- Our intention is to continue the trend of growing number of members of our military in peacekeeping missions. I am proud of the achieved results that once again confirm that the quality of training and capability are at the highest level. With our actions, we contribute to preserving peace and security in the world, but we also gain experience which, with our rich tradition, bring the Serbian military back to the position that has always belonged to it – Defence Minister said.

An important part of the visit were the talks with the representatives of the Serbian contingent who discussed with the Minister and representatives of the Armed Forces the ways to further improve their results and status, and to acquire latest technologies necessary for conducting tasks daily.

Currently, 143 Serbian members are a part of the UNIFIL mission, 141 of which are deployed in the Sector East of the Spanish Squad, while two staff officers are stationed at the Mission Command in Nakura. It is planned for more Serbian peacekeeping forces to be referred to Lebanon in the next period, and they would conduct their missions at the Sector West within the Italian contingent.