Bujanovac – Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said at the “Jezerska mahala” military base   near Bujanovac that a strong and stable Army of Serbia was the guarantor of peace and stability in the country "and beyond".

While addressing the soldiers, to whom he congratulated Christmas "on behalf of himself and  Aleksandar Vucic, the supreme commander and the President of Serbia", he said that no strong and successful state was possible without a strong and successful army.

“Today we can not only think of ourselves, but we must also think of those who live in the enclaves (in Kosovo and Metohija)," Minister Vulin said.

He pointed out that we were thinking of them and, as he said, "that we will never let violence occur again."

He recalled that a mass construction of housing facilities for the military personnel had been planned in 2018, as well as renovation of weapons. 

Ljubisa Dikovic, the Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, said that the Army of Serbia and KFOR successfully controlled the Ground Security Zone, which stretches from central Serbia to Kosovo and Metohija, and ensured peace for the citizens who lived in that area.

General Dikovic said that the exchange of information between the Army of Serbia and KFOR occurred on a daily basis. 

"While speaking with the KFOR commander on Friday, I learned from him that security and safety in Ground Security Zone, as well as in the area of Kosovo and Metohija, might be endangered.   Fortunately, for the time being, everything is calm and stable, and I am sure that the KFOR forces have taken all measures and that the situation will remain unchanged, "General Dikovic said.

Milosav Simovic, Commander of the Army, said that the situation in the Ground Security Zone, which is located along the administrative line with Kosovo and Metohija, was stable.

He also said that members of the Army of Serbia were in a daily contact with the KFOR, with which they jointly organized tasks, including patrols along the administrative line.

"Jezerska mahala" is one of 24 military bases located in the Ground Security Zone, which runs along the administrative line with Kosovo and Metohija. 

Source: “Beta” news agency, “Politika” daily and Coordination Body