31.03.2022.
Statement by Assistant Minister for Human Resources Katarina Tomašević
"The Serbian Military Union’s allegations that members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces are given the keys to apartments that have not been built yet, is a complete fabrication. Each service member who received the key to the apartment was given the apartment by a commission and an opportunity to move into it. The Military Union’s claim that it is uncertain when or if those apartments will ever be built is a malicious lie that upsets the people who rightfully expect to get an apartment for themselves and their families by the deadlines communicated to them when signing the contract.
The state housing program, thanks to which 526 members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces have already moved into new apartments, and 728 have signed contracts for apartments whose construction is in the final phase, is proof that the Serbian Military Union’s statements themselves are Potemkin villages. Such statements are based exclusively on the political ambition of those who use the union for attacks and attempts to ruin the reputation of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.
At a time when real estate prices are reaching record highs, members of the defence system have been given the opportunity to buy new, high quality apartments for 400 to 500 euros per square metre. Needless to say, that price is much lower than the price of the cheapest newly built apartment in Serbia, let alone in Belgrade.
It is clear that the Serbian Military Union’s attacks on the Ministry of Defence, which occur almost daily, are not aimed at entering into any social dialogue, but exclusively serve the daily political marketing purposes.
The Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed forces are making huge efforts to improve the financial position of our service members, and the provision of housing, in addition to raising salaries, is one of our priority goals. The results achieved so far in this field are measurable and verifiable, and most importantly - not final.
Despite the untruths and unfounded attacks, the Ministry of Defence will continue to take measures to improve the financial position of our service members every year. We are convinced that the efforts and dedication of people who have devoted their lives to the security of Serbia deserve such an approach."
