Vucic: When the UN is in charge of maintaining peace, Serbia has always been ready to contribute

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said today at a reception for members of the Serbian Armed Forces who successfully completed their mission in Lebanon that, when the United Nations is responsible for maintaining peace, Serbia has always been ready to make its contribution.

“In accordance with the UN decision and the relevant resolution of the UN Security Council, we agreed to participate in the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, and our men and women were part of Sector West, where they contributed, together with Italian units, to the protection of facilities. The conditions were very difficult, especially since the beginning of the declared and undeclared war in the Middle East,” Vucic said addressing the troops.

He emphasized that they are exceptionally brave men and women who represented their country with dignity.

“When I spoke with Italian officials, they always praised Serbian soldiers, their participation in the mission and asked for a larger number of members of the Serbian contingent. I think it is extremely important that, when the UN is in charge of peace, Serbia has always been ready to contribute to such peace. These young men and women have also gained significant experience in demanding, complex and difficult conditions, which they will now pass on to their colleagues as they return to their home units,”  Vucic underlined.

He said that participation in such missions requires dedication, effort and diligence.

He pointed out that everything surrounding the mission is complex, including the payment system, where the UN reimburses Serbia for part of the costs, but that the global organization now faces its own difficulties, while salaries for members of the Serbian Armed Forces have never been delayed, because Serbia paid them on time, and the state will wait until the UN recovers, if it ever does.

Vucic stressed that members of the Serbian Armed Forces have once again shown how international public law and the international order are upheld, and how peace and the lives of others are protected.

“Our Patriarch Pavle used to say that peace is what all people need most, especially those who do not have it. Peace and wisdom do not exclude courage, being peace-loving and wise requires the greatest courage. That is why I am grateful to these people who have been preserving peace in southern Lebanon for 15 or 16 years. All these people of honest heart are a great asset to Serbia, to our army, which must grow stronger and modernize, and which must be a guarantee of our country’s survival,” he said.

The president added that the members of the Serbian Armed Forces who returned from the mission in Lebanon are a great asset to the state and the army, which must continue to strengthen, modernize and serve as a guarantor of Serbia’s preservation and peace.

“Thank you for your courage, effort, and work, for enduring a long time away from your families. You have not jeopardized the reputation of the Serbian soldier, the strength of the Serbian flag, or the honor of our country,” he underlined.

Vucic called on the leadership of the Serbian Armed Forces to accelerate preparations for further modernization, and to inform him as soon as possible about the implementation of decisions regarding the formation of brigades for unmanned weapons, robots, drones, and artificial intelligence.

Members of the Serbian Armed Forces who successfully completed the mission in Lebanon presented Vucic with a symbolic gift.