Serbia moves to reinstate mandatory military service: A message that 'we will not stand by'
The Serbian government has introduced a new law to reinstate mandatory military service, which was abolished 14 years ago.
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12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS
Following a meeting held on Friday in Serbia, the government established a commission to reinstate 75-day mandatory military service for men. Women will be allowed to continue serving on a voluntary basis.
Belgrade abolished mandatory military service in 2010.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated at a military ceremony held in Batajnica that mandatory military service would help modernize the Balkan country's armed forces and strengthen its defense against potential attacks.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic
According to a report by the Russian news agency RT, the decision to relaunch military service comes as tensions between Serbia and Kosovo escalate. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin warned against a potential conflict and stated that Belgrade would not stand by 'when violence is used against Serbs.'
Officials in Belgrade emphasized that Serbia would continue to maintain its 'military neutrality' in the face of the war in Ukraine and tensions between NATO and Russia. The Serbian government also pledged that it would not 'abandon its historic ties of friendship' with Russia and refused to join the 'sanctions imposed by the West on Moscow.'