17.11.2015.

Ambassador Michael Kirby held a lecture for students of the National Defence School

US Ambassador to Serbia Michael Kirby, as guest speaker, held a lecture today to students of 59th class of General Staff Course and 6th class of Basic Command and Staff Course. The lecture at the Centre for simulations at the Military Academy was also attended by the Head of the National Defence School Colonel Dr Miroslav Talijan, teachers and staff of the School, as well as US Defence Attaché in Serbia Colonel Taft Blackburn.

Commenting on the recent terrorist attack in Paris, Ambassador Kirby expressed his dismay at the act of violence, pointing out that "all of us who deal with international and national security should think thoroughly about such attacks", and the main question, he added, that now arises is "what we can do to protect the lives of the people for whom we are responsible."

Pointing out the rich military tradition of the Serbian people, and the recently marked the 101st jubilee of the Battle of Kolubara, Ambassador Kirby expressed his belief that the new generations of members of the Serbian Armed Forces have a desire to develop the same enthusiasm, dedication to their service and the sense of honour that characterized the generation of 1914.

Ambassador Kirby also pointed to the efforts of Serbia in order to promote safety beyond the Western Balkans, noting that our country is the

leader in the region by deployments in peacekeeping operations, and the seventh country in Europe by the number of members of the Armed Forces and the Police who are deployed in peacekeeping missions around the world. Members of Serbian contingents, the US Ambassador added, serve in these missions with dignity and honour, and members of the US Armed Forces and other partner countries are proud to serve side by side with the Serbian counterparts.

Speaking about the challenges of the migrant crisis, Ambassador Kirby said he was encouraged by the warm welcome the citizens of our country have offered in the previous period, but at the same time pointed out that this crisis is the best example of the need for a modern regional approach to security.

The final part of today's lecture by Ambassador Kirby was reserved for discussion with students of the National Defence School.