He hailed this as an important step to strengthen the country's defense capabilities.
Serbian soldiers stand near a Chinese FK-3 medium-range missile system. Photo: Reuters
The Serbian government announced that it would set up a working group to initiate this process.
Under the plan, men in Serbia will have to perform compulsory military service, which includes 60 days of training and 15 days of drills. Meanwhile, military service will be voluntary for women.
However, some military experts say the plan would be costly and that such a short timeframe would not contribute much to Serbia's defense capabilities.
The armed forces of Serbia, which became independent after the breakup of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, were fully professionalized in 2011. However, the army still faces problems with pay and equipment.
Serbia is currently a candidate for membership in the European Union and maintains voluntary military service and reserve units.
President Vucic, after signing the agreement to reintroduce military service, affirmed: "We have no intention of attacking anyone, but want to stop those who threaten us."
Serbia's decision coincides with a similar move by NATO member Croatia, whose defense minister announced earlier this month that conscription, which had been suspended since 2008, would be reinstated from January 1, 2025.
Serbia, a country that maintains a policy of military neutrality, has been a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program since 2006 and signed the Individual Partnership Action Plan in 2015, the highest level of cooperation for countries that do not want to join NATO.
Last month, Serbia signed a landmark deal with France's Dassault Aviation to buy 12 Rafale fighter jets, a move seen as distancing itself from Russia, its traditional ally and arms supplier.
Croatia has also purchased 12 Rafales, six of which have been delivered.
Neighboring Serbia and Croatia, which have had frosty relations since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, are in the process of buying helicopters and modern weapons. Some experts fear this could lead to an arms race.
Hong Hanh (according to Reuters, CNA)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/sau-croatia-den-luot-serbia-khoi-phuc-nghia-vu-quan-su-bat-buoc-post313270.html
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