Minister: Kosovo remains biggest security challenge

BELGRADE Defense Minister Nebojsa Rodic says Kosovo and possible developments there might put the Serb population at risk remains the biggest security challenge. “At the moment, thanks to the diplomatic activity and regular cooperation with KFOR, we believe that there will be no undesirable scenarios,” the newly-appointed defense minister told the daily Vecernje Novosti in an interview published over the weekend. Minister: Kosovo remains biggest security challenge Rodic took office last week, after previously serving as the director of the Security Information Agency (BIA). Rodic notes that there are also security risks in southern Serbia, which could spread to the territory of central Serbia. Asked whether there is a danger that the Serbs' position in terms of security could deteriorate during the implementation of the Brussels agreement and forthcoming local elections in Kosovo, Rodic said there is always such a danger. “That is why I am underscoring that we are working hard to ensure that does not happen, we are convinced that this is in the best interest of Albanians, Serbs and other ethnic groups in Kosovo and Metohija,” the minister said. Admitting that running the defense ministry is a challenge, Rodic says that the Serbian Army (VS) enjoys "the greatest trust among citizens, especially young people who increasingly link their future to the defense system." “The latest data is that, only in September, the number of applications for voluntary military service was six times bigger than envisaged by the plan. As many as 3,295 candidates applied for 560 available places. Recently, five prospective students chased one enrollment place at the Military Academy,” he said. The minister says that it is important to enable the Serbian Armed Forces to execute its tasks and improve capabilities. “By that, I mean further equipping the forces with the latest armament and gear for our participation in peacekeeping operations to which we will remain committed. We will particularly prepare for meeting all requirements in the EU integration process,” he said. Asked whether the state has enough money to complete the defense system reform, Rodic says he is aware that every ministry would want more money at its disposal. Therefore, we will look for additional internal reserves in the ministry, Rodic said. Speaking about equipping troops with the latest armament, Rodic says that this does not solely refer to the purchase of aircraft, but also missile and radar systems with the aim of fulfilling the obligation of protecting the national and international air corridor. “We are currently in the phase of negotiations about the conditions and manner of armament purchase,” Rodic said. Nebojsa Rodic (Beta, file) Tanjug Vecernje novosti

Minister: Kosovo remains biggest security challenge

Rodić took office last week, after previously serving as the director of the Security Information Agency (BIA).

Rodić notes that there are also security risks in southern Serbia, which could spread to the territory of central Serbia.

Asked whether there is a danger that the Serbs' position in terms of security could deteriorate during the implementation of the Brussels agreement and forthcoming local elections in Kosovo, Rodić said there is always such a danger.

“That is why I am underscoring that we are working hard to ensure that does not happen, we are convinced that this is in the best interest of Albanians, Serbs and other ethnic groups in Kosovo and Metohija,” the minister said.

Admitting that running the defense ministry is a challenge, Rodić says that the Serbian Army (VS) enjoys "the greatest trust among citizens, especially young people who increasingly link their future to the defense system."

“The latest data is that, only in September, the number of applications for voluntary military service was six times bigger than envisaged by the plan. As many as 3,295 candidates applied for 560 available places. Recently, five prospective students chased one enrollment place at the Military Academy,” he said.

The minister says that it is important to enable the Serbian Armed Forces to execute its tasks and improve capabilities.

“By that, I mean further equipping the forces with the latest armament and gear for our participation in peacekeeping operations to which we will remain committed. We will particularly prepare for meeting all requirements in the EU integration process,” he said.

Asked whether the state has enough money to complete the defense system reform, Rodić says he is aware that every ministry would want more money at its disposal.

Therefore, we will look for additional internal reserves in the ministry, Rodić said.

Speaking about equipping troops with the latest armament, Rodić says that this does not solely refer to the purchase of aircraft, but also missile and radar systems with the aim of fulfilling the obligation of protecting the national and international air corridor.

“We are currently in the phase of negotiations about the conditions and manner of armament purchase,” Rodić said.