Serbia does not appear to acknowledge Albania’s extended hand for military cooperation. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic dismissed the statement of Albania’s Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, who emphasized that the alliance between Tirana, Pristina, and Zagreb is not directed against anyone, once again attempting to portray it as a threat.
Vučić visited a military barracks in Belgrade, where he attended a briefing on the analysis of the situation and the capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces.
“We are very concerned about the formation of military alliances in our surroundings against Serbia, and accordingly, we are acting responsibly and seriously, without provoking anyone, but with the aim of deterring anyone who might carry out aggression against our country. Our defensive capacities, both in the air force and air defense, have increased drastically and dramatically. In the coming years in particular, our army will be equipped with systems of all kinds,” Vučić said.
The Serbian president also hinted at his focus on strengthening the military’s combat capabilities, stating that reserves of military equipment are at a high level. Vučić further revealed plans to reintroduce mandatory military service for a duration of 75 days, noting that it could begin as early as this December or in March of next year.
“We must prepare all facilities, ensure sufficient supplies of everything — rifles, boots, recruitment centers, registration centers. We also need to improve and renovate outpatient clinics,” Vučić emphasized, among other points.
