Seeing the Serbian peacekeepers off to Cyprus

The ceremony was attended by Lieutenant General Aleksandar Zivkovic, Army Commander, Colonel Milivoje Pajovic, Head of the Centre for Peacekeeping Operations, Budimir Mihajlovic, Head of Pcinj district, Zoran Antic, Mayor of Vranje, relatives and friends of officers and soldiers that are sent to the multinational operation.

Army Commander handed the state flag of the Republic of Serbia to Lieutenant Ivica Barac, platoon leader of the Fourth Brigade, who used that occasion to express his belief that the members of the platoon will accomplish all the tasks in the peacekeeping mission professionally and with honour, and be proud of their military and the country of origin.

General Zivkovic conveyed to the members of the Serbian Armed Forces that will participate in the multinational operation in Cyprus, congratulations and greetings of Nebojsa Rodic, Minister of Defence in the caretaker government, General Ljubisa Dikovic, Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, and all members of the Army.

General Zivkovic emphasized that members of the Serbian Armed Forces, by their participation in peacekeeping operations, confirm the interest and intention of the Republic of Serbia to contribute to preserving peace and security in the world in a specific way. In the UN and EU areas of operation there are currently 175 members of the Army and these are in Lebanon, Congo and Cyprus.

"They have the opportunity to work and gain experience in an international environment, to advance personally and professionally, and thus contribute to improving the operational capabilities of our elements", General Zivkovic said and reminded that this is the sixth rotation of firing platoons from the composition the Army that have been engaged in Cyprus since 2011 within the Hungarian-Slovak contingent.

"I am pleased to say that we are proud of the results that the members of the Army made in Cyprus, but also in other peacekeeping operations around the world", the Army Commander said and underlined that he believed that members of the firing platoon and patrol will respond to all the challenges and worthily represent the Serbian Armed Forces.

In the place of worship of the 4th Army Brigade, this morning, Captain Slađan Vlajić Chief of Chaplains gave communion to members of the firing platoon and patrol going to the peacekeeping operation.

Lieutenant Ivica Barac, leader of the firing platoon of the 4th Brigade, said that one of the main motives for his participation in the peacekeeping operation was the wish to upgrade his professional career and that the knowledge he acquires will help him in his further development.

Private Ivana Stojanovic wishes to show her military skills in an international environment.

Sergeant Major Dalibor Jovanovic from the First Brigade will be one of the six members of the patrol in the Hungarian contingent whose task will be to control the zone of separation. He points out that their predecessors had good experience in cooperation with foreign armies, and that he was sure that he and his colleagues would continue their way.