18.12.2014.

Military acknowledges awarded at the Guard House in Topcider

Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic, Head of the General Staff of Serbia General Ljubisa Dikovic and Mayor of Belgrade Sinisa Mali attended today the ceremony of presenting military acknowledgements, non-monetary awards and stimulating measures for the held military parade “March of the Victorious” and the end of 2014 at the Guard House in Topcider.

On this occasion, Minister of Defence and Head of the General Staff of Serbia handed 170 military acknowledgements, non-monetary awards and stimulating measures, out of 717 total that were handed.

The plaque of the Ministry of Defence was also awarded to the public media service of the Republic of Serbia – Radio Television of Serbia, and the golden plaque of the Ministry of Defence was awarded to the City of Belgrade.

Moreover, Mayor of Belgrade Sinisa Mali was awarded the military memorial medal for extraordinary contribution to the defence system of the Republic of Serbia, and the same acknowledgement was presented to Miodrag Zecevic.

For extraordinary results and contribution to the development of the defence system of the Republic of Serbia, the golden plaque of the Ministry of Defence was handed to Head of the General Staff of Serbia General Ljubisa Dikovic by Minister of Defence.

According to Minister Gasic, in the year of great challenges, we have defended the interest of our citizens and state.

- Many will say that this is a difficult task. But we have succeeded, all working as one. However, even among the best, there are ones that have stood out. We have awarded them tonight with highest military acknowledgements, non-monetary awards and stimulating measures. Without false humility, I will say that there is no field in which we didn’t have good results in 2014 – Minister of Defence stressed.

He added that it has been confirmed that the defence system is one of the most organized ones in our state.

- We have begun improving operative capabilities, renewing our equipment, and we have a record number of our members deployed in peacekeeping missions in 2014. We have helpd the special purpose industry “get back to its feet” and achieve even better results, and we have also accelerated the dynamics of resolving the stockpiled material and residential issues of our members – Minister Gasic reminded, stating that the results have become visible after two years of hard work.

As he stressed, everything that has been achieved testifies that “the Serbian military is taking back the

place that belongs to it and the Armed Forces of Serbia are appreciated in the world once again”.

Reflecting on results from the past year, Minister Gasic reminded of the active international military cooperation, and of the important military exercises “Thunder”, “Blue Response”, “Srem”, “Platinum Wolf” and “Ravanica”, which displayed a high level of training and capabilities. He also pointed to the results of military education and military healthcare, which are reconfirmed every year, and he commended cooperation with state bodies, numerous institutions and establishments.

- The best example to showcase our possibilities is the military parade “March of the Victorious”. I am convinced that your families and friends were enthralled to watch a military parade after 29 years, and just remember your faces, marching proudly in front of your citizens after almost three decades – Minister of Defence stressed, adding that this is the best confirmation that everything we do is sincere and that Serbia needs to have a modern, strong and reliable military.

According to him, our military is composed of best individuals, those who put their country and its interest first, people who have not stained their honor, who are worthy of their calling and who wanted advance.

- To all who wish to be team players and who have worked for the benefit of the state, I say – there will always be a place for you in the Armed Forces of Serbia – Minister Gasic stated, adding that a lot has been done in the past period when it comes to resolving residential issues of members of the defence system; battle against corruption has continues and the current resources are handled responsibly.

- We do all of this because we want to be the best, to remain an exemplary institution, because we are people of honor and integrity – Minister Gasic stated, and stressed that the system continuously changes for the people of our country, abiding by tested and confirmed international standards and criteria, ending his address with “Long live the Armed Forces of Serbia!”

According to Mayor Sinisa Mali, who spoke and thanked on behalf of all the awarded outside the defence system, it was a great honor working with members of the defence system during the floods in May and during the military parade.

On behalf of the awarded members of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Serbia, Major General Vojin C Jondic stressed that 2014 was a difficult and demanding, but also a successful year for the Armed Forces of Serbia.

- In the year behind us, we have worked committedly, responsibly and thoroughly on raising and maintaining operative capabilities of our subordinate formations, and we have conducted a number of tasks important for the people and the state. Here with us tonight are the carriers of planning, organizing and conducting these tasks – General Jondic said, adding that each member of the defence system deserves recognition for their tasks conducted in 2014.

The artistic part was marked by the performance of Slovenian musician Manjifiko, accompanied by the Art Ensemble “Stanislav Binicki” and the Cultural Artistic Society “October 14” from Krusevac.