12.05.2010.

Exchange in military property in return fo apartments

Minister signed today with the president of the Municipality of Vrsac a protocol on cooperation regarding the availability of real estate. Vrsac expressed strong interest in placing six of military facilities and in return the Ministry would get a number of apartments and funds.

Local self-government will first take over the SAF Club, as this facility is necessary for improving cultural and educational capacities. The return might get nine apartments as compensation.

The reduction of the number of garrisons, as minister reminded, meant discontinuation of use of the said facilities, which led to the Ministry offering them to local self-governments in exchange for apartments.

He pointed out that MoD had invested extreme efforts in demonstrating its initiative to renew the defense industry of Serbia, while the exchange of military property will enable the development of construction industry as well.

Residential blocks will be constructed on these locations thus improving the development of local communities. Sutanovac, also said that there were ongoing negotiations with Pozarevac, Pirot, Jagodina while MoD has already reached an agreement with the town of Subotica.

A number of meetings is expected over summer with local and province governments interested in partner cooperation with regard to property exchange, in a transparent way in both countries’ interest.

The Military Academy received very successful promotion in Vrsac, which will alos host a number of other manifestations.

Sutanovac expressed his expectation that cooperation with Vrsac would continue to mutual satisfaction, as well as cooperation with Hemofarm pharmaceutical company.
Regarding the decision of the arbitration court regarding the controversial contract to rent the Israeli satellite, the Minister said he had no definite information and that this was a complete shock to him. He also remarked that the State Prosecutor’s office was running the proceedings expecting an adequate answer to the difficulties we are facing. Minister said that MoD would under no circumstances bear the costs of settlement with the Israeli company.

With respect to the lawsuit against Partizan, Sutanovac said that this dated back to 1997 when the Ministry first signed the contract when MoD declared this contract null and void, since there was no precise reason or interest of the defense system. He believes that Partizan will reach an adequate agreement with MoD, as Mod has excellent cooperation with all sports clubs in the country.

The development of the system of defense, as Sutanovac underlined, relied in large part on developing sports and having healthy youth, so this problem is more of a public rather than a real matter.

The President of the municipality of Vrsac Cedomir Zivkovic expressed great pleasure over cooperation with MoD, which has shown interest in the needs of the municipality. This cooperation has lasted for a certain time now to both side’s mutual satisfaction. He congratulated the minister for the results of MoD achieved in the reform of the defense system.

Zivkovic said that these facilities were important to become functional soon as this is how they can serve the community best.

The Master Plan envisions 6 facilities: SAF Club, location on the corner of Zarko Zrenjanin street, “Kamenolom” grounds, “Narodni heroj Zarko Zrenjanin” barracks, “Potok Mesic” location and “Potok Mesic” storage facility.

The communication of MoD and Vrsac has lasted since 2008 when the local self-government expressed the need to take over military facilities. According to the information of MoD Infrastructure deprtament, Vrsac needs 30 apartments.