“We will defend and maintain our neutrality” – Vucic distributed pistols to young officers
Graduates of the Serbian Military Academy and the Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy were awarded the first officer ranks.
The coronavirus pandemic forced the ceremony to be held behind closed doors, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
Due to restrictions related to the coronavirus, instead of the square near the People's Assembly building, the solemn event for 152 cadets was held on the alma mater parade ground.
The ceremony was attended by the country's top officials: Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Defense Minister Alexander Vulin, Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic and others. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic addressed the graduates from the high rostrum.
The President congratulated the Academy on its important anniversary (this educational institution turned 170 years old this year) and the cadets on their conferment of officer ranks.
“The Republic of Serbia and all its citizens are proud of their army,” Vucic said in his speech. – The Serbian Army is one of the most important institutions of our state, in which citizens have great confidence. Serbia is also proud of its military education system, which has achieved exceptional results over the past few years, emphasized President Vučić. – The Serbian army will maintain and defend the military neutrality of the Republic of Serbia, but not on paper, but in reality...
You will have many invitations from all sides, with good and not so good intentions, from forces that want to put you on someone’s side, saying that this will be better for Serbia.
You must know and remember that for all of us and you there is only one side, one and only one - this is Serbia...
I ask you to never give up and stop any potential aggressor with your strength, determination, knowledge, and faith in your Motherland. We will be ready to strike back at anyone who dares to attack Serbia.”
The Serbian leader also noted that in recent years the reputation of the army has grown, and the number of applicants to the military academy has increased by 30%.
Also on this day, the head of state presented four excellent students with personalized pistols. The celebration ended with the traditional tossing of uniform hats.
“In my opinion, the decision to suspend all options for military cooperation may be the only correct solution,” military expert Vlade Radulovic commented specifically for PolitNavigator on the situation in connection with Serbia’s military neutrality and the temporary suspension of participation in joint military exercises with other countries. – Serbia, after the agreement concluded with Pristina, is in crisis. The sudden cooling of relations with Russia, the problems of Belarus, an important partner of our country, showed the impossibility of our country’s participation in the exercises, especially since they should take place on the border with a NATO member country.”
At the same time, Radulović expressed the opinion that after the end of this period the situation will stabilize.
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