November 23, 2009

Serbia will do everything to that the Interim Trade Agreement  be deblocked in order to create conditions to submit the EU membership candidature as soon as possible. However, it is much more important to complete the initiated reforms that will enable better life for citizens, said President Boris Tadic  at the opening of the military base “Jug“ near Bujanovac. The ceremony was attended by PM Mirko Cvetkovic, Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac, General Chief of Staff Miloje Miletic, as well as representatives of diplomatic and military corps. Biljana Blanusa has more.

The strategic goal of Serbia is the EU membership as well as preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially in regard to Kosovo, said President Tadic. He reiterated that Serbia will never recognize unilaterally proclaimed independence of the southern Serbian province, but it will continue to fight for it peacefully and diplomatically. Serbia remains committed to peaceful resolution of disputes which it will also show before the ICJ in the Hague in the coming process.

According to Tadic, the military base “Jug“ will contribute to higher security level for all citizens in the south of Serbia. The Serbian Army is a guarantor of stability and peace, and also a key instrument in fighting organized crime and terrorism. By participating in the peace operations, the Serbian Army also improves credibility and becomes a stability factor not only in the region but throughout the world. The military base “Jug“ will also lucrative from the economic standpoint, since some 1.000 army professionals will be employed there. At the same time, this is a chance for development of the entire region. Therefore, the cooperation between military structures and the civilian population and local self-government, as well as local business, is deemed very important.

Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac  underlined that the military base “Jug“ is the largest and most modern base in the region in regard to working and living conditions for soldiers and officers that can be found in the most modern world armies. He announced plans to expand the base in order to enable preparations of army professionals that are to participated in peace operations. He also said that members of the foreign armed forces will be able to be trained along with the Serbian Army members.

The construction of the military base “Jug“ near Bujanovac in the land security zone lasted 7 years with some 1.7 billion dinars invested. This is the largest military facility built in Serbia over the past 20 years. The base provides capacities for training and logistic support, recreation and sport activities of the staff. It also has a service for maintenance of vehicles, petrol station, shooting range, and a heliport. The complex includes the hospital and the dentist’s office, as well as fields for basketball, volleyball, handball and football. All this guarantees that soldiers will have much better conditions for the training, maintenance of equipment, as well as for recreation of the staff engaged in tasks in the land security zone.