Ministry of Defense

Serbia invited to participate in military parade in China

BELGRADE -- Serbia has been invited to participate in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of victory over fascism and a military parade in Beijing on September 3.

The official invitation has been sent to the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Army (VS).

BELGRADE - State Secretary in the Serbian Ministry of Defense Zoran Djordjevic and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General Knud Bartels said Friday that Serbia and NATO's common goal is to preserve peace and stability in the Western Balkans, the Ministry of Defense released.

Army Park at Goudi has been transformed into a huge picnic site with tables, open-air spits and volunteers present to feed socially weak groups and ensure that these people can enjoy an Easter meal. The event, organized by the Ministry of Defense, offers 1,500 goats, 200 lambs, 100 kokoretsi (skewered intestines) to vulnerable groups who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford the Easter meal.

"Alcohol found in crashed helicopter pilot's body"

BELGRADE -- The responsibility for the crash of a military helicopter in Belgrade last month was primarily with the members of its crew, it has been announced.

There are also "doubts that part of the responsibility lies with other military and civilian personnel," the Higher Public Prosecution said on Friday.

Mi-17 crash report completed, no details revealed

BELGRADE -- A commission set up by the Serbian army chief to investigate the crash of a Mi-17 helicopter in Belgrade on March 13 has finished work and submitted its report.

The public has not yet been informed about any details from the document.

Ombudsman: Insufficient media freedom

BELGRADE -- The media in Serbia are "not free to the extent characteristic of a modern European state and society," Ombudsman Sasa Jankovic has stated in his annual report.

At the same time, he remarked that the adoption of the three media laws "marked a real step forward in normative terms."

Putin reveals how Crimea was "returned to Russia"

MOSCOW -- Russia's Rossiya-1 broadcaster has announced it will soon air a documentary called "Crimea. Homeland-bound."

The television interviewed President Vladimir Putin, who revealed some details about the operation that returned the peninsula to Russia, Russian news agencies are reporting.

Bosnia to donate ammunition to Iraq

SARAJEVO -- Bosnia-Herzegovina will donate 500 tons of ammunition to the Iraqi government, "thus contributing to the fight against the terrorist Islamic State."

"Cooperation with NATO should reflect Serbia's needs"

BELGRADE -- Cooperation with NATO "should reflect Serbia's needs," Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic said on Wednesday as he met with a high ranking NATO official.

Daily: Serbia plans "several military exercises" with Russia

BELGRADE -- The Belgrade-based daily Danas is on Friday quoting unnamed sources who said that Serbia "plans to hold several military exercises with Russia."