Defense Minister: Serbia’s Military Power Not a Threat to anyone in the Region

mod.gov.rs

Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic has said that Serbia’s armed forced “do not pose a threat to anyone in the region” but served “exclusively to deter any sort of aggressive intentions towards Serbia or the Serbian people.”

“I fill focus my attention on the personnel of the Defense Ministry and the Serbian Army, continued equipping and modernization of weapons and military equipment, that is, on strengthening our overall defense capabilities. Our Army must be strong, capable and ready to protect Serbia against any attempt threating its freedom and independence,” Gasic told magazine Odbrana (Defense).

Gasic also said he supported the idea of reintroducing mandatory military service, adding that in the coming period and in consultations with the Serbian president, it would be decided whether to submit to the Serbian parliament a proposal for canceling the Decision on the suspension of mandatory military service.

Gasic dismissed the claims that procurement of Rafale combat aircraft from France would jeopardize Serbia’s military neutrality. “In terms of defense, Serbia remains committed to developing cooperation with all countries based on the principle of mutual interest and mutual respect. Our military neutrality provides to use exactly such maneuvering options of deciding independently and in accordance with our national interests in relation to with whom and how we cooperate,” Gasic noted.