14.11.2023.
Minister Vučević presents medieval Serbian swords and sabres to officers who completed advanced training abroad
Acting on behalf of the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Miloš Vučević, today handed medieval Serbian swords and officer's sabres to active duty and retired members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces who completed special training programmes abroad in the period from 2006 to 2021.
Minister Vučević congratulated the officers on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić on their achievement and their great individual and collective success.- I would like to remind everyone that investing in a person’s knowledge is not only investing in an individual, but in the quality of the whole community, society, family, state and the people, particularly when we talk about the sphere of the defence and security of a state. And we are all extremely proud of you, of the fact that you have successfully completed your advanced military training abroad. In this way, you showed yourselves, your families, the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces in the best possible light, but you also represented our homeland, Serbia. Whether you are an active duty member or you are enjoying a well-deserved retirement, we remind you that, thanks to the knowledge and skills you have acquired, but also through new contacts and acquaintances you have made, you are still part of the defence system of our only homeland, Serbia. We have not forgotten those who are no longer with us, and in this way we posthumously thank them, and their families, for dedicating their lives to working for the Republic of Serbia and all its citizens - emphasized Minister Vučević.
He expressed his belief that freedom-loving and independent policy of the Republic of Serbia had made it possible for our citizens, our officers to be able to receive advanced training both in the West and in the East.- This is a quality that not many countries have today, especially considering the current geopolitical circumstances, and I don't think it's a disadvantage, but a huge advantage. Looking at your biographies, I saw that you received you training in all the most important geopolitical centres in the world, and this is something that should be the source of pride and delight for the entire country, not only for the Ministry of Defence. Not only did you gain new knowledge and represent your country, the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, your families and yourselves, but you also had the opportunity to get acquainted with modern doctrines, skills, and knowledge that the countries you were sent to possess and share with us, i.e. with trainees who attend these military security training programmes. But I’m certain that you have managed to do something else, to make many important contacts. We must not ignore the importance of personal acquaintance nor the fact that you know people who hold very important positions in the countries where you were trained, and who deal with matters of security and defence or with the same topics that we in the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces occupy ourselves with - stressed Minister Vučević.
That is the capital, said Minister Vučević, that no one can take away from them.- That is the capital that you have gained together with our country and I believe that you will safeguard it and share it with your colleagues, passing on your knowledge to future generations. I would particularly ask you who are retired, at least formally, but still possess enough life energy that motivates you to continue being active, to help your country, your colleagues, to share your knowledge, which is undoubtedly vast, and pass it on to future generations so that our country would be safer. May these symbolic gifts that we presented to you today on behalf of the Republic of Serbia - medieval swords and our sabres, always guide you and motivate you, but also remind you, as our motto has said throughout history - that we have never drawn them unless absolutely necessary, and that we have never put them away without honour and dignity - Minister Vučević said.
At a ceremony held in the Guard Club in Topčider on the occasion of the WWI Armistice Day, medieval Serbian swords were awarded to 21 officers who have completed Advanced Security and Defence Studies, and officer's sabres were handed to 80 active duty and retired officers of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces who have completed the General Staff Course abroad.
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