22.08.2022.

Minister Stefanović: Even today, we need internal unity and wisdom in international relations

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović, PhD, has attended the Military Museum Day celebration. He addressed the gathering, reminding them that the Museum had been founded by a decree issued by Prince Milan Obrenović on the same day that Serbia had gained independence. According to him, even today, 144 years later, Serbia led by President Aleksandar Vučić strives to preserve its independence, autonomy and national identity. "These are extremely hard days for Serbia, and that is why even today, as Prince Milan said, we need internal unity and wisdom in international relations," said the Minister.

"An independent Serbia must be united, determined, it must take careful steps, it must handle its foreign affairs wisely, and foster strong internal relations - those are the only paths on which an independent Serbia can flourish. May God take it under his almighty wing!", were the words uttered by Prince Milan Obrenović on this day in 1878. That day was the culmination of the centuries-long struggle of the Serbian people for freedom which they won in wars, relying on their own forces, a great patriotic heart, great sacrifices and efforts of our diplomacy which led to the final confirmation and recognition. It was a magnificent moment for our people," said Minister Stefanović.

According to him, on that day the world admired Serbia, Europe's youngest daughter, as they called it, describing in great detail how a small nation, enthusiastic about patriotism and guided by the idea of freedom, broke free from the Ottoman shackles and after five centuries returned to the European family of states.

- When he publicly announced that Serbia had finally won independence after the Berlin Congress, Milan Obrenović emphasized two things - the importance of our internal unity and the importance of being wise in our international relations, which were necessary in order to preserve independence and modernize our homeland.
On the same day, the prince signed the Decree on the establishment of the Military Museum. The connection between those two historical events was not accidental. The Military Museum was founded with the aim of preserving our cultural heritage and national identity, because without them, a modern state has no foundation - said the Minister.

This museum, he added, successfully fulfilled its mission for the next 144 years, up to this day, and shared the fate of its people, army, and state, both in good and hard times.

- Generations of museum employees have collected and expertly processed objects that make the Military Museum’s collection one of the richest in Europe. They have kept from oblivion all the testimonies about the hard-won freedom and independence of the small Serbian people, about the Serbian army that fought with all its might for its country and gave birth to the greatest knights. Generations of museum workers have kept their vow even on the Salonica Front. While the Serbian army was fighting, they collected items for the Military Museum’s new collections in Mikra - Minister Stefanović said.

The Military Museum, said the Minister of Defence, has faithfully kept its promise to this day.

- A vow that obliges us to respect our own, to be proud of our history and tradition, pure heart and righteous battles of our people, and not to allow our children to grow up not knowing how Serbia was created and what it is made of. And that is important because, even today, 144 years later, Serbia led by President Vučić strives to preserve its independence, autonomy and national identity. It is determined, it takes carefully though-out steps, it wants to preserve peace and stability, it wants to be part of the European family of nations, but it will not allow the expulsion of our people from Kosovo and Metohija, nor trampling on our interests - said the Minister.

According to him, these are extremely hard days for Serbia, and that is why even today, just as Prince Milan said, we need internal unity and wisdom in international relations.

- That is precisely why at this time we must not forget how Serbia was created and what it is made of, at this time when we need all our ancestors’ wisdom gained from experience, great patience and skill of our present state, in order to preserve our people and peace - said Minister Stefanović.

He thanked all the Military Museum employees for not allowing anything to be forgotten and for not giving up even in difficult conditions and sometimes in very complex situations.

- You have been persistent, determined and you have achieved great results. I have had the opportunity to see most of the exhibitions in this museum. Perhaps there aren’t many citizens who are familiar with every detail of your work, but all those who have had the privilege of visiting the Military Museum, have certainly left here with their knowledge broadened and delighted with what they saw. This is important for us, and that is why we have made every effort for schools to include this museum in their excursion programme, as was the case in the past. I want to thank you once again for your great work and I wish you a lot of success in the coming period. I hope you will continue to enhance these collections with the help of even larger funds - said Minister Stefanović, opening the exhibition "Fixed Round Pistols and Revolvers from the Military Museum’s Collection of Factory Weapons before 1918".

The Military Museum Director, Lieutenant Colonel Nevenka Darmanović, said she was glad that the exhibition was opened by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Nebojša Stefanović, PhD. She said that traditionally, on the day of its foundation, the Museum organizes exhibitions and presents to the public the cultural treasures preserved by this institution.

The author of the exhibition, which will be open to visitors until October 23, is senior curator Vuk Obradović.

Minister Stefanović, Assistant Minister for Defence Policy Predrag Bandić, Assistant Minister for Human Resources Katarina Tomašević, Head of the Human Resources Department (General Staff), Brigadier General Savo Iriškić, Head of the Defence Minister’s Office, Colonel Stevan Kotarlić, and Head of the Department for Tradition, Standard and Veterans, Colonel Dragan Milković, attended the Military Museum Day celebration and the opening of the exhibition.