08.11.2012.

Military Security Agency marks its day

In the presence of state and military leadership and numerous guests, members of the Military Security Agency celebrated their day - 12 November last night.

Reception at the Great Hall of the old war attended by the President of the General Assembly of the National Nebojsa Stefanovic, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Aleksandar Vucic, Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Army Lt. Gen. Ljubisa Dikovic, ministers in the Serbian government, the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Army, clergy, diplomats and foreign military attaches.

Director VBA Svetko Kovac said that there were no major security problems in the Serbian Army and the Ministry of Defense, and the security situation was stable in the defense system. He added that though organized criminal activity, corruption and cases of individual criminal activity did not pose a significant security threat to the defense, because of the specificity and sensitivity of the defense system it required significant involvement in the implementation of preventive and repressive measures.

The Military Security Agency as part of the security and intelligence system of the Republic of Serbia has made a major contribution to the stability of the system of defense and security of our country and its citizens. In the future we plan to raise the level of operational and functional capabilities of VBA, in order to achieve better organization, operations and equipping with modern technical equipment and systems, as well as training of staff - said the director of VBA while announcing amendments to the Acts on the MSA and MIA which, as expected by the end of the year would be approved in parliament.

Director of the Agency Svetko Kovac reminded of the words of one of the influential figures from the time of the Kingdom of Serbia, that agencies should be given fund to operate, but should be controlled not to spend the money foolishly. - I would add that the service should be able to do their job, but they should be controlled not to abuse the powers granted - said the director of VBA.

Security Agency and the Security Service of the unique security and intelligence system of the Republic of Serbia. As a body within the Ministry of Defence with the status of a legal person, it is responsible for security and counter-intelligence protection of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.

VBA Day marks the 12th November when on that day in 1839 the first law in the military was passed, which mentioned and elaborated acts of treason, espionage, rebellion and other crimes that threaten the army and the state. It is the first legal document which comprehensively defines the security issues of protection of the army.