Citizens in northern Kosovo welcome the decision on the reintroduction of mandatory military service in Serbia

Citizens of North Mitrovica and Leposavic welcome the decision on the reintroduction of mandatory military service in Serbia. As they tell Kosovo Online, they believe that the military disciplines a person and prepares them for an independent life, also contributing to work discipline and the respect for certain life norms.

Miodrag Antic from North Mitrovica says he supports the reintroduction of mandatory military service because it toughens men.

"I am in favor of it. Look, the military is very important for a man because it puts him in order. It toughens him in the sense that he has to respect something. And then when he finishes the military service, he is already capable of living and thinking about himself. This way, I don't know... I am generally in favor", he says.

A fellow citizen shares a similar opinion, emphasizing that he would willingly return to the military.

"Great, that would be great. I am 65 years old, and I would return to the military again. Excellent, it couldn't be better, now I would return again, believe me. Everyone should serve in the military, from 18 to 60-70 years", he states.

For one fellow citizen of Albanian origin, there is nothing problematic in the initiative for reintroducing mandatory military service in Serbia.

"I am not a Serb, I am an Albanian living here, but there is no problem. I don't think anything special, for now, it's good", he said.

Dalibor Stefanovic from Leposavic believes that serving in the military would be beneficial but adds that he is not an expert in determining how many months it should last.

"I think it would have a better impact on discipline, on the development of youth. I'm not an expert on whether four months are enough, but it would certainly be better if there were mandatory military service", Stefanovic said.