Macut and Gasic visit members of the Serbian Armed Forces in the Ground Safety Zone

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut and Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic visited members of the Serbian Armed Forces deployed in the Ground Safety Zone today. Their visit began at the Karaula Base, after which they, together with the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilovic, visited troops stationed at the Merdare Base.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, during the visit the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence spoke with the deployed personnel and were briefed on the tasks within their area of responsibility, as well as on the current security situation on the ground.

They were also presented with the reconstructed facilities, including accommodation units and supporting infrastructure, through which living and working conditions for personnel stationed at the Karaula and Merdare bases have been improved.

Gasic expressed his appreciation to the members of the Serbian Armed Forces for their professional service in the Ground Safety Zone, stressing that the reconstruction and modernization of military infrastructure represent an investment in improving the living and working conditions of personnel who carry out some of the most demanding duties on a daily basis.

"Members of the Serbian Armed Forces in the Ground Safety Zone perform tasks of great importance for the security of our citizens and the preservation of peace in this part of the country every day, continuously and under complex conditions. Their dedication and professionalism oblige us to continue improving living and working conditions at our bases. Modern infrastructure, better accommodation and improved working conditions remain one of our priorities, because people are the greatest strength of the defence system," Gasic said.

The visit was also attended by the Commander of the Serbian Army, Major General Zoran Naskovic; Head of the Operations Directorate of the General Staff, Brigadier General Vladan Milosavljevic; Chief of the Minister of Defence's Cabinet, Brigadier General Nikola Matovic; Deputy Commander of the Third Army Brigade, Colonel Branislav Stevanovic; and Head of the Infrastructure Directorate, Lieutenant Colonel Milos Perunicic.

Wreath Laid at Memorial to Soldiers Killed During the 1999 NATO Aggression in Kursumlija

Accompanied by Minister Gasic and General Mojsilovic, Prime Minister Macut laid a wreath at the memorial monument in the Toplicki Ustanak Barracks in Kursumlija.

On that occasion, it was emphasized that preserving the memory of the fallen members of the Serbian Armed Forces is a lasting obligation of both the state and the nation, and that Serbia will continue to foster a culture of remembrance while honouring with special respect all those who gave their lives in defence of the country's freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ceremony, held in memory of members of the 354th Infantry Brigade who lost their lives during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign against Serbia, was also attended by Brigadier General Vladan Milosavljevic, Head of the Operations Directorate (J-3) of the General Staff; Brigadier General Nikola Matovic, Chief of the Minister of Defence's Cabinet; and Colonel Branislav Stevanovic, Deputy Commander of the Third Army Brigade.