Vucevic: Arms exports suspended for 30 days, security a priority

BELGRADE - Serbian Defence Minister Milos Vucevic confirmed on Friday the Serbian government had suspended exports of arms and military equipment for 30 days at the proposal of President Aleksandar Vucic as commander-in-chief.

In a statement to Tanjug, Vucevic said the Serbian Armed Forces would be given priority when it comes to defence industry supplies to further strengthen the capacities of the country and its armed forces.

That does not mean Serbia is going to war or invoking war, but that security risks and challenges are being assessed well, Vucevic noted.

"We are watching all developments and acting accordingly. Our assessment at this time is that commercial deals cannot have priority over the matter of the security of the fatherland and that what is being produced by the defence industry must, above all, be directed to the Serbian Armed Forces, in line with their needs," Vucevic said.