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

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1 REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

2 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 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.

3 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.

4 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 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.

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

6 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.

7 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.

8 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 peacetime 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.

9 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 29 th 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 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.

10 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.

11 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.

12 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)