(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 10 MAR - Serbia's commitment and
determination to move forward with its plan to strongly rearmake
and strengthen its Armed Forces was reaffirmed by President
Aleksandar Vucic. Serbia is a militarily neutral country, but
one that must look after its security and freedom and intends to
be much stronger than other countries in the region, Vucic said
during a visit today to the Military Technical Institute in
Belgrade. Quoted in the media, the president stressed Serbia's
willingness to equip itself with increasingly modern and
sophisticated weaponry, particularly domestically produced
missiles and drones. "Everyone thinks only of war. The arms race
started a year and a half ago, but now it's crazy. Due to the
fact that everyone thought that (Russian President Vladimir)
Putin would be defeated easily (in Ukraine), and because they
now see that it is not easy to defeat Putin, then there is
widespread militarization with a huge increase in capabilities
everywhere," Vucic said. At the same time, the president
announced further salary increases to representatives of the
Armed Forces and confirmed the government's intention to
reintroduce compulsory conscription, probably lasting three
months, extendable to six or nine months for those who wish to
remain on a voluntary basis. (ANSA).
Vucic confirms Serbia's extensive rearmament plans
'We are a neutral country, but we must defend ourselves'