PM: Serbia to buy Russian weapons for defensive purposes

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Aleksandar Vucic has said that Serbia will buy "a part of its armaments from Russia" that will not be offensive in character, but serve to protect the country.
Source: Tanjug Wednesday, October 28, 2015 | 13:37

(Tanjug)

Answering journalists' questions regarding the potential cooperation of Serbia with Russia related to procurement of new weapons, Vucic on Wednesday said that our country "must buy a part of its armaments - but will strive to manufacture some of it in Serbia, in cooperation with Russia."
"That's our job. It is not realistic to buy too much, but we will get some weapons," said Vucic.

He declined to specify which weapons, because discussions are under way, but reiterated that, "in general, the job of the prime minister and the cabinet is to care about the security of the country."

"If they ask why we need all this, let them raise the question of why some in our surroundings need it, when they are surrounded by NATO countries on all sides, only one country is not (a NATO member), and that is Serbia," said Vucic.

As he pointed out, "Serbia is silent when some others receive combat helicopters, armored vehicles, howitzers," and "asked why some people are being given lauchpads, while others acquire ballistic missiles."

"And tomorrow you will ask me - under some other constellation of forces in the world - 'what did you do to protect your country?' We're not going to get weapons, which are, let's put it that way, offensive, but we have to protect our territory," underlined Vucic.

According to Tanjug, Vucic, who is on a three-day visit to Russia, announced he would on Wednesday meet with the representatives of the Kamaz manufacturer "in connection with the purchase of trucks for howitzers in a factory in Velika Plana."

Vucic will talk about the acquisition of weapons again when he meets with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin tomorrow - "to see what the two countries can do together and how to put to use Serbia's defense industry."

"Innovative Development"

The Moscow International Forum for Innovative Development "Open Innovations 2015" was opened on Wednesday by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

The participants were addressed by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.

Presenting Vucic and the Serbian delegation, Medvedev said that the friends from Serbia are honorary guests of the forum.

He said that three industrial revolutions have taken place and that the fourth one will most probably follow, because progress cannot be stopped. Should the government interfere in these processes, how to build up a business model and how to protect and file patents, these are the questions now, Medvedev said.

Addressing the gathering, Vucic said Serbia would embark on reforms to boost development in education and science.

According to him, "the previous year and a half had seen significant economic reforms implemented in Serbia."

"In the years ahead we will have extensive reforms in our system of education and science that are a precondition for improving our economy and GDP," said Vucic.

He said that the government planned to introduce dual education, but also to change the working habits of the population, adding that he would therefore invite eminent speakers from today's forum to share their knowledge and experience with people in Serbia.

The Forum participants will discuss dramatic changes that came as a result of introducing new technologies in the fields of productivity, environment, education, medicine and entertainment.