Assembly discusses laws on defense and army

Assembly discusses laws on defense and army

Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic stated on Monday that the bill envisages a more efficient use of military equipment and clearer definition of the status of military institutions with their own source of revenues.

Elaborating on the amendments to the laws in the Serbian parliament, Gasic said that the amendments to the Law on defense aim to remove defects and solve legal problems in ensuring proper functioning of the defense system.

The activities of logistic support of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Serbia envisage the possibility for certain military institutions to obtain the status of a legal entity.

They would conduct their activities for the needs of the defense system and would use the free part of their capacities to do business in the market, which would also help relieve the budget to a certain extent, the defense minister said.

The amendments also envisage a more efficient protection of property interests of the government with regard to military property which is being used by the Ministry of defense and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Serbia, he said.

The amendments also envisage protection of property interests in terms of security in a special military regime as the amendments propose organizing a military attorney's office comprising the defense Ministry in the sector of affairs which were so far performed by the Directorate for Property Legal Affairs on grounds of the decision by the public attorney, Gasic said.

The bill of amendments provides a more specific definition concerning the organization and composition of the Army, as well as the preparation and adoption of the acts on organization on strategic, operative and tactical levels of command as envisaged in the defense strategy of Serbia.

The document also proposes that the name of the air force and anti-aviation defense should be restored and it provides a more detailed definition of the specific points pertaining to the military service that cover flight, parachute and diving services, Gasic said.

The amendments to the Law on the Serbian Army render a more specific definition of the jurisdictions of the Headquarters in commanding and running the Army, which also cover deployment of officers to the rank of captain, non-commissioned officer and professional soldier.

The amendments also cover introduction of a special record on members of the Army, its contents, manner of data protection on military personnel.

"We are also improving the solutions that cover the conditions for admission into professional military service," Gasic said.

The defense minister noted that in case the amendments get adopted, individuals who spend nine years in service as professional soldiers would be able to apply for military services as civilians in case of need.

The Law on Defense was adopted in 2007, and some amendments were adopted two years ago.

According to a release, the law on the Army regulates the position and jurisdiction of the Army, the organization, composition and principles of services, as well as the responsibility for damages, democratic and civilian control, transparency of work and religious service.