Vucic at cadet promotion: Serbia remains militarily neutral, you are security guarantors

At a ceremony promoting the newest officers of the Serbian Armed Forces, President Aleksandar Vucic declared that Serbia will maintain its military neutrality. Addressing the cadets at the Military Academy and the Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade, Vucic told them they are the ultimate guarantors of the nation's security and safety.

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In these times of turmoil, international lawlessness, at a time when neither the United Nations (UN) Charter nor resolutions are either respected or applied, you are the guarantors of the security and safety of Serbia’s citizens.

"In these times of turmoil, international lawlessness, at a time when neither the United Nations (UN) Charter nor resolutions are either respected or applied, you are the guarantors of the security and safety of Serbia’s citizens," Vucic stated. He stressed that Serbia must rely on its own strength, learning from history that dependence on others has proven to be a mistake. "Alliances and cooperation are necessary, but we must always be strong enough to preserve and defend our country," he added.

Vucic acknowledged the pressures cadets and political leadership would face, reiterating that Serbia's "homeland," including Kosovo and Metohija, is its most sacred possession. He asserted that Serbia must protect this without threatening or harming others, remaining on its own land. The president noted that regional alliances formed against Serbia had prompted the country to secure modern weapons and equipment for its forces.

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Alliances and cooperation are necessary, but we must always be strong enough to preserve and defend our country.

He also pointed to improvements in soldiers' living conditions, with salaries rising significantly over 12 years and the army becoming "incomparably stronger" through procurement and modernization. "We did this not because we want to threaten anyone... but because we have learned bitter lessons from our history, that whenever we were weaker, they came to humiliate us, subjugate us and take away part of our territory," Vucic explained. He concluded by stating that Serbia is now strong enough, thanks to its officers, soldiers, and future generations.

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We must remember that, and we must protect that sacred thing. Without harming anyone, without attacking anyone, without threatening anyone, we must always remain on our own land.

A total of 130 cadets were promoted: 102 from the Military Academy and 28 from the Military Medical Academy.

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We did this not because we want to threaten anyone, not because we want to endanger anyone, but because we have learned bitter lessons from our history, that whenever we were weaker, they came to humiliate us, subjugate us and take away part of our territory.