REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Serbia

The Republic of Serbia is located in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, at the most important routes linking Europe and Asia, spanning the area of 88,361 square

kilometers.

The Republic of Serbia comprises two autonomous provinces: Vojvodina and Kosovo and Metohija which has been placed under UN jurisdiction since 1999.

The capital of Serbia is Belgrade. It is an administrative, economic and cultural center of Serbia.

The national anthem of the Republic of Serbia is “Boze pravde". The national flag is a red-blue-white tricolor with the emblem of the Republic of Serbia.

Population and language

The ethnic population of the Republic

of Serbia is very diverse, as a result of

country's turbulent past in this region.

Serbs are the majority ethnic group,

living side by side with other 37

nationalities in Serbia. All citizens have

equal rights and responsibilities and

enjoy full national equality.

The official language is Serbian and

Cyrillic is the official alphabet, along with

the Latin alphabet.

Economy

Serbia’s core economy is based on

economic activities, such as trade,

transport, storage and communications,

financial intermediation services, postal

services and telecommunications.

Besides the aforementioned industries,

agriculture and processing are the

industries Serbia sees its future in.

Serbia’s Gross Domestic Product

(GDP) in the period 2001-2009 grew at an

average annual rate of 4.8 %.

The most common industries of the

economy in Serbia are steel, iron and

agricultural products: wheat, corn, sugar

beets, raspberries, plums.

Mineral riches of Serbia include coal,

lignite, copper, gold and marble.

Government

The Head of the State if the President of the Republic of Serbia who is elected in direct presidential elections for a five-year term. Boris Tadic has been the President of Serbia since 11 July 2004, and was re-elected on 15 February 2008.

The highest legislative body in Serbia is the National Assembly of Serbia, which has 250 Members of the Parliament.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia is the executive organ of government of the Republic of Serbia. The Government is elected by the majority of MPs in the National Assembly of Serbia, and is comprised of the Prime Minister, three Vice Presidents and ministers. The current Government was formed on 7 July 2008.

Minister of Defense of the Republic of Serbia is Mr. Dragan Sutanovac.

Defence

The defence policy of the Republic of Serbia is based on strengthening its

own defense capabilities, cooperation with the democratic peace-loving states,

on its European orientation in foreign policy and the ability to participate

actively in the processes of cooperation and joint action with other countries

and entities in international relations with a view of establishing national,

regional and global security.

The objectives of the defence policy of the Republic of Serbia are

establishing an efficient system of defense, peace and a favorable security

environment with a view of becoming fully integrated into European and other

international security structures. So as to achieve these objectives, the

Ministry of Defence is carrying out reforms in the defense system in order to

build an effective defense system with stable functioning and to create the

necessary conditions for its interoperability with the defense systems of the

countries involved in the European security structures and the NATO

"Partnership for Peace Programme.“

Defence

Organization and defense reforms are a continuous and

dynamic process. The organizational and functional

changes in the defense and the Armed Forces of Serbia,

as well as the processes of professionalisation,

modernization and equipping the Serbian Armed forces

with modern combat equipment, intensifying of collective

and individual training, participation in multinational

operations, and other activities undertaken within the

NATO "Partnership for Peace" Programme all resulted in

achieving significant results in maintaining the existing and

developing new operational and functional capabilities.

Within its scope of work, the Ministry of Defence, as one

of the Serbian ministries, proposes and implements

Serbia’s defense policy, enforces laws and treaties and the

general acts of the National Assembly, the Government

and of the President of the Republic pertaining to the area

of defence.

Serbian Armed Forces

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Serbia is an integral part of the Ministry of Defence and performs its duties in accordance with the laws and the competences of the President and Minister of Defence.

The functional organization of the Serbian Armed Forces comprises the General Staff and other peace-time and war commands, units and institutions. The Serbian Armed Forces is structurally divided into arms and services, these into branches and sub-services, which are then divided into a specialty. Certain SAF branches are grouped into arms. These arms include: Army and the Air Force.

The Serbian Army is a professionalized. Its composition consists of officers, noncommissioned officers, professional soldiers on voluntary military service and civilians, as part of an active composition, and active and passive reserve.

The Serbian Armed Forces Chief of general Staff is General Miloje Miletic.

PfP Membership

The Republic of Serbia formally became a full participant of the NATO's “Partnership for Peace“ Programme by signing the Framework Document on 14 December 2006 , at the invitation sent at the NATO summit in Riga on the 29th November of that year.

The scope and modules of Serbia’s involvement within PfP are defined by the Presentation Document, which was presented at the NATO HQ in Brussels, on 5 September 2007. On that occasion, Serbia expressed the desire to assume its share of responsibility for establishing a stable and lasting peace in the region, as well as to participate in peacekeeping operations under UN auspices and for its armed forces to achieve interoperability with the NATO member states.

Belgrade

Belgrade is the capital of Serbia, not only in political and administrative terms.

Located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, Belgrade is an ancient settlement, with the oldest archaeological findings dating back to the fifth millennia BC. A Celtic tribe founded Singidunum in the third century BC, while the first time the official name of Belgrade dates back to 989 A.D. During its long and turbulent history, Belgrade was conquered by 40 armies, and was rebuilt from the ashes 38 times.

Belgrade is the city of young people. It has over 1.7 million residents, where more than 40% of its population age between 15 and 44. Besides being an important road and rail junction, Belgrade is an important international river and air port and a telecommunications center.

Belgrade

Belgrade is the capital of Serbian culture. All scientific and art institutions of national importance, such as the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU), the National Library of Serbia, the National Museum and the National Theater are concentrated in Belgrade. The city is also home to Belgrade University, founded in 1808, as the Great School and University of the Arts.

The Spirit of Belgrade is something any Belgrade resident will gladly tell you about. The citizens of Belgrade prefer to always be on the go which is why the streets, alleys, cafes, restaurants, shops, are packed with people. More importantly, Belgrade is looking forward to welcome every guest.

More on Serbia

Population (without Kosovo and Metohija): over

7.5 million citizens,

Climate: moderately continental

Longest river: the Danube, with 588 km flowing

through Serbia

Highest mountain top: Djeravica (on the

Prokletije Range), at 2656 m

International dialing code: +381

National currency: Republic of Serbia Dinar

(RSD)

National Internet Domain: .rs

National Car Bumper sticker: SRB

Time zone:Central European Time, CET (GMT

+ 1 hour)