DefMin says conscription not preparation for war

Speaking live on the pro-regime TV Pink, Vucevic said that the Defense Ministry wants to open a public debate on the issue to hear from both experts and the general public.

The Serbian government suspended mandatory military and civilian service in 2010 but never abolished conscription. There has been mention of reinstating conscription for years but nothing specific was done until this week when the General Staff sent a proposal to President Aleksandar Vucic to reinstate conscription.

Vucevic said the General Staff has compiled documentation to justify the reintroduction of conscription. “There will be no overnight solution. We have to get a time frame to prepare barracks for recruits if mandatory military service is reinstated. We will also come up with a financial plan and what that entails for the Serbian budget,” he said.

He added that the military, Defense Ministry and government won’t give revoke the request to reinstate conscription. “They are constantly trying to impose the view that the Army of Serbia is unnecessary and that we should join the NATO alliance,” The defense minister said without specifying who he meant.
Vucevic said that Serbia is winning the peace but has to follow the situation in the region and in Kosovo to maintain peace and stability.