22.04.2016.

Reception on the occasion of the Serbian Armed Forces Day

Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic and Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic prepared tonight, on the occasion of the Serbian Armed Forces Day, receptionat the Guards Club in Topcider. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Government, churches and religious communities, diplomatic and military diplomatic corps in our country, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces and numerous guests.

Welcoming the crowd to the already traditional reception, Minister Djordjevic congratulated the members of the defence system on the upcoming holiday of the Armed Forces Day, recalling the historical significance of this date and the series of celebrations which will be celebrated this year.

- We remember with pride the centuries-old path of our generation, self-realization and self-respect, talking about the courage of our ancestors and the wisdom of the creators of our nation holding our heads high. The Serbian Armed Forces continues the tradition of its predecessors, worthy, upright, righteous and proud heroes who have always gathered together in difficult times, associated and decisively movedto fight for the honour and defence of their fatherland – Minister Djordjevic pointed out adding that we have behind ourselves a rich history of our army that we must not forget, and in front of us wehave high goals that with smart, honest, loyal and honourable people are yet to be realized.

According to him, our army nowadays has the honour to enjoy great trustof the citizens, to be among the most respected institutions in our country, and the fact that young people are happy to opt for a military career, he underlined, is a guarantee of success.

- The citizens of Serbia believe their army and like it, the army has always been and will be with its people. The Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces fully support the strengthening of peace, security and stability in the region and the inclusion of our country in the European integration – the Minister of Defence said.

Sending the message that members of the Serbian Armed Forces are always ready to respond to the most complex tasks and provide the maximum for its citizens and the homeland, Minister Djordjevic stressed that Serbia can safely rely on its army.

- Serbia will remain consistent with its position of military neutrality, it is our commitment – Minister Djordjevic said noting that it was Sveti Sava who wrote in his letter to abbot Irinej as early as in 1221, that the Serbs were "destined to be the East in the West, and the West in the East".

At the end of his address, Minister Djordjevic expressed his gratitude to all state bodies, institutions and all actors outside the defencesystem on providing unselfish support to the Serbian Armed Forces, as well as to foreign armies for the excellent cooperation and for the opportunity to exchange experiences.

The Serbian Armed Forces celebrates April 23 as its holiday to commemorate the day when, on Palm Sunday in 1815, the decision was made to raise the Second Serbian Uprising for the liberation of Serbia from the Ottoman Empire, which later allowed the creation of the modern Serbian state.