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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbian government will never recognise Kosovo independence

Belgrade, 9 July 2008

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic stated today that the new government will never recognise Kosovo-Metohija’s independence and that together with other countries it will take legal, political and diplomatic measures to preserve Serbia’s territorial unity.

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic (left) hands over sword at ceremony in Serbian parliament

Author: Tanjug

At a ceremony to mark the passing out of officers of the 51st class of the national school of defence held at the Serbian parliament, Cvetkovic pointed out that the safety of the Balkans and Serbia will remain the priority of Serbia’s defence policy.

In his address to officers, he said that officers with higher education and those in positions carrying the most responsibility at the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Army will help carry out the defence system reform, which must be in line with the highest standards.

According to him, a precondition for successful defence is the continuation of the reform system and creation of an efficient and economically stable defence system.

The Prime Minister said that once strategic documents and laws are adopted, the institutional framework will be created for Serbia’s full participation in activities of the Partnership for Peace programme and democratic control of the Army.

On behalf of President Boris Tadic, Cvetkovic presented officers with traditional military decorations – swords, while Minister of Defence Dragan Sutanovac presented them with diplomas.

Sixteen officers received diplomas and swords, of whom 15 are from the Serbian Army and one from the Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Head of the Military Academy General Major Vidosav Kovacevic stressed that this level of education is the highest in the military and lasts one year.

Candidates are carefully chosen from the ranks of lieutenant-colonel and colonel and are trained for top positions in the Ministry of Defence, explained Kovacevic and added that in the past year, the elected officers had 1,200 hours of training in various areas.

Present at the ceremony were First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic, Deputy Prime Minister Jovan Krkobabic and Governor of the National Bank of Serbia Radovan Jelasic.

Also present were Serbian parliament Secretary Veljko Odalovic, Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic, Minister without Portfolio Sulejman Ugljanin, Chief of Police at the Ministry of Interior Milorad Veljovic, deans from faculties which cooperate with the Military Academy and military envoys.