Sending peacekeepers off to the Central African Republic

The fourth contingent of the Serbian Armed Forceshas been officially seen off today to the UN mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), where 68 members of the Serbian Armed Forces will be engaged over the next six months within the deployable medical facility in the medical care of forces in the mission.

Today's ceremony at the Banjica 2 barracks was attended by Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic and Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic, with members of the Collegium, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces as well as friends and family members of our peacekeepers.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Djordjevic expressed his satisfaction that the Republic of Serbia and the members of the Serbian Armed Forces,since the establishment of the United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic, make their full contribution to peace and security in this African country.

– Our previous three contingents performed their responsible duties at the medical care of the UN personnel in this peacekeeping operationvery successfully, diligently and honourably. Professionalism and highly professional approach to the job of your colleagues from the previous rotations saved many lives conveying the message of peace and friendship in all situations – the minister of defence pointed out, adding that our peacekeepers so far have shown that they had knowledge and that they were worthy and humane and always ready to receive and take care of all those who needed it.

Wishing a safe trip and good health to the Serbian "blue helmets" in the fourth rotation, Minister Djordjevic said that proud citizens of Serbia expect them not only to continue the tradition of our country in building and maintaining peace in the world, but to demonstrate through they work in a multinational environment, that dedication of our members has no limits.

During the ceremony, Minister Djordjevic handed over the national flag of the Republic of Serbia to Colonel Vangel Milkovski, Commander of the Serbian contingent, with the words "may you carry it with honour and pride". Commander of the military hospital in the MINUSCA mission in this rotation will be Lieutenant Colonel Dr DimitrijeTasic.

Those deployed by the Serbian Armed Forces to the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic are military observers, staff officers and a military hospital in charge of medical care of forces in the mission.