SARAJEVO: Serbia’s government ministers on Friday ( Sep 20 ) agreed to reintroduce compulsory military service which was abolished 14 years ago, President Aleksandar Vucic said, praising the decision as an important step to improve the country’s defence readiness.
A working class may be established to start the process, according to a statement from the government.
Under the program, Serb people may have enforced military company consisting of 60 days of training and 15 weeks of activities, the state said. The company will be offered to ladies on a voluntary basis.
Some military experts have criticized the schedule, claiming it will cost money and that a so-called short period of service will not be as effective as the nation’s defenses.
Serbia’s armed forces, which became an independent state in 1991 following the bloody demise of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, were thoroughly trained in 2011 but are still underpaid and inadequate.
The Balkan region, which is a member for European Union participation, has retained volunteer support and reserve units.
After signing an agreement for the re-introduction of the recruitment last year, Vucic said,” It is not our intention to attack someone, but we want to turn aside those who threaten us.”
Serbia’s walk coincides with a similar decision by neighbouring NATO member Croatia, whose defence minister announced earlier this month that forced conscription, which was suspended in 2008, will become re-introduced from Jan 1, 2025.
Serbia, which upholds military independence, signed the highest level of cooperation for nations certainly aspiring to join the alliance in 2015 and joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 2006.
Serbia and France’s Dassault Aviation reached a landmark deal last month to purchase 12 new Rafale fighter jets, which shows a break from Russia, its long-standing allies and weapons dealer.
Additionally, Croatia purchased 12 Rafale fighter jet, six of which have already touched down in the Union part nation.
The two neighboring nations, which have remained aloof since the former Yugoslav federation’s demise in the 1990s, are currently making the purchase of current planes and arms, which some experts view as an arms race.