"Serbia stable and secure despite challenges"

President Boris Tadic said Friday that the standard of the Serbian Army (VS) has been raised with the so-called professionalization of its ranks. Tadic also pointed out that Serbia is stable and secure, despite the challenges posed by terrorism and organized crime. "Serbia stable and secure despite challenges" Tadic also pointed out that Serbia is stable and secure, despite the challenges posed by terrorism and organized crime. The president was attending the Joint Undertaking 2010 drill at the army training grounds near Cuprija, in central Serbia, when he made the comments. Tadic said that the security of the country stems from the excellent cooperation between the Interior Ministry and the Defense Ministry. The Serbian president also said that high combat readiness of the armed forces is important for the stability of Serbia and the whole region. The president noted that years of reform have yielded results, and pointed out that professionalization has brought a new quality and more highly trained members to the VS. "Professionalization (abolishment of compulsory service) has raised the standard of our armed forces, but all those who want to serve in the military will still be able to do so. This way, civilian control of the army and the tie between the army and the people will still exist," Tadic said. The president said that the state will continue to equip the VS and improve the living standards of its members in the future. Tadic mentioned there are certain problems with aviation equipment and armored vehicles, but that there has been remarkable progress in all other branches of the army. 800 soldiers took part in today's exercise, which was carried out in the presence of Tadic, Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac, Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, VS Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Miloje Miletic, and numerous foreign military envoys to Serbia. Tadic attends the drill (Beta)

"Serbia stable and secure despite challenges"

Tadić also pointed out that Serbia is stable and secure, despite the challenges posed by terrorism and organized crime.

The president was attending the Joint Undertaking 2010 drill at the army training grounds near Ćuprija, in central Serbia, when he made the comments.

Tadić said that the security of the country stems from the excellent cooperation between the Interior Ministry and the Defense Ministry.

The Serbian president also said that high combat readiness of the armed forces is important for the stability of Serbia and the whole region.

The president noted that years of reform have yielded results, and pointed out that professionalization has brought a new quality and more highly trained members to the VS.

"Professionalization (abolishment of compulsory service) has raised the standard of our armed forces, but all those who want to serve in the military will still be able to do so. This way, civilian control of the army and the tie between the army and the people will still exist," Tadić said.

The president said that the state will continue to equip the VS and improve the living standards of its members in the future.

Tadić mentioned there are certain problems with aviation equipment and armored vehicles, but that there has been remarkable progress in all other branches of the army.

800 soldiers took part in today's exercise, which was carried out in the presence of Tadić, Defense Minister Dragan Šutanovac, Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, VS Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Miloje Miletić, and numerous foreign military envoys to Serbia.