Serbian Army turns professional in 2011

Belgrade, Dec.5th, 2009 (Serbia Today) - In a sign of the great changes that are taking place, the Serbian Army has announced that it is to become a professional army. Serbian Army Lieutenant Col. Miloje Miletic announced at the conference on Thursday entitled "Necessary Skills for Serbian Army Officers, 2010-2020" that the professionalization of the military would be complete in the first half of 2011.
“The Serbian Army will become professional, and I expect us to complete that process at the end of 2010, or 2011 at the latest," Miletic told reporters.
When asked if Serbian officers would be educated according to NATO standards, Miletic responded affirmatively, adding that it was one of the aims of the meeting, reported Serbian news service B92.
“Because our officers have been educated in institutions in the countries that are members of the Partnership for Peace program and NATO allows us to educate our officers according to those standards," Miletic remarked.
He stressing that the military and the Defense Ministry “respect the decisions of the Serbian Parliament, like all other government institutions, and that (military neutrality) does not prevent us from cooperating with other militaries in the world."
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Serbian Military Academy Serbian President, Boris Tadic, said that the professionalization of the Serbian army would breed well-trained and specialized soldiers whose profession would be their military commitment, and this will contribute to the army's transition to European standards.