17.07.2015.

Ending of the education of officers of 61th Class of Command and Staff Course

The ceremony on the occasion of the completion of education of officers of the 61st class of the Command and Staff Course at the National Defence School was held today in "Banjica 2" barracks. This type of advanced education has been completed by 58 officers, 50 from Serbia, four from the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria, three from Bosnia and Herzegovina and one from the United States.

Certificates of the acquired title of command and staff officers were handed to the participants by Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic.

Based on the decision of Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, the three top officers in the rank and the eight participants of foreign armed forces were presented with ceremonial daggers by Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic.

Congratulating the officers on the successful completion of the training, Defence Minister particularly welcomed members of foreign armed forces, stressing that their education in Serbia significantly contributed to better mutual understanding and demonstrated great trust that exists in the world in our educational system and the Serbian Armed Forces.

- Quality education enables our officers to be recognized in the international environment, and the increasing presence of our military members in peacekeeping missions is followed by most positive comments of colleagues in other armies who see them as capable and reliable partners.

Addressing the officers of the 61st class, Minister Gasic wished them to use the acquired knowledge in new duties in peace and to be the driving force and the carriers of the further development of the armed forces in the continuation of their officer career.

The most successful officer in this class of command and staff training, Major Emil Kirkov spoke about the course of the training, organized in two segments, and thanked everyone for their support during the training. He pointed out that, as early as on Monday, they would receive new duties at the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.

- I am convinced that we will actively use the acquired knowledge in performing these duties and that our colleagues from foreign armed forces will incorporate it in the military practice of their countries - he said, adding that in addition to knowledge, skills and abilities, they had gained friendships that they would keep and use in the future.

Head of the National Defence School Colonel Miroslav Talijan pointed out that our system of defence had become richer for a great generation of command and staff officers, inspired by the tradition of the Serbian Armed Forces.

The ceremony was also attended by members of the Collegium of the Minister of Defence and Chief of General Staff, Rector of the University of Defence Major General Mladen Vuruna, defence attaches of PDR Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States, teachers, relatives and friends of the participants.

The program of command and staff training of officers includes contents that allow for the training of participants to perform duties within all the missions and tasks of the Armed Forces, with the emphasis on the tasks of the first mission.