22.12.2015.

Reception on the occasion of New Year and Christmas holidays

The traditional reception on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas holidays was held tonight in the House of Guard in Topcider. The ceremony was attended by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, Speaker of the National Assembly Maja Gojkovic, Serbian Patriarch Irinej, representatives of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities, diplomatic and military representatives accredited in our country, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, representatives of the religious communities, celebrities from cultural and public life, as well as media representatives.

Greeting the guests on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic said that in the year we are leaving behind, despite the difficulties, challenges and risks, the two institutions, inspired by the glorious traditions of our people, managed to maintain their capabilities to accomplish missions entrusted to them.

- By successful completion of tasks in the Ground Safety Zone, together with members of the Ministry of Interior, by accomplishing the tasks in UN- and EU-led peacekeeping missions, providing the necessary assistance to the citizens, members of the Serbian Armed Forces confirmed that they are a key pillar of stability and security of our country – General Dikovic said.

According to him, by conducting national and international exercises with the armed forces of Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Russian Federation and the United States, our forces strengthened skills and training level of their members.

- Taking part in parades in Moscow and Beijing, shoulder to shoulder with the strongest armies in the world, we represented our country with dignity and unambiguously showed that our society rests on the civilization and freedom-loving values – Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff pointed out.

We are entering the next year, he underlined, with a sincere belief that better days are ahead of us.

- Using the allocated funds with the care of a diligent owner, and strengthening capabilities for participation in peacekeeping missions, we will build partnership relations with neighbouring countries and the world, in line with our national interests. We are aware that with the cooperation of all institutions of the Republic of Serbia with the support of the citizens we can realise all the intentions and therefore we expect your support in the next year – General Dikovic said.

Addressing President Nikolic, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the Chief of General Staff assessed that there were difficult moments which they all experienced.

- In front of you and in front of the Patriarch, I wish to bestow praise on all members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces who performed their duties honourably and with dignity, behaved statesmanlike in difficult times and showed that Serbia can always count on its army – General Dikovic said extending best wishes to the guests for the upcoming New Year and Christmas holidays.