Serbian Armed Forces team heads to Slovenia to join flood relief efforts

BELGRADE - Twenty-two Serbian Armed Forces servicemen departed for Slovenia on Wednesday to join flood relief efforts in the country.

The servicemen, who come from the Serbian Air Force and the 63rd Parachute Brigade, took off from the Colonel Pilot Milenko Pavlovic Air Base in Batajnica near Belgrade aboard H-145 and Mi-17 helicopters.

Defence Minister Milos Vucevic noted that, following requests by Serbian President and Serbian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Aleksandar Vucic and the government of Serbia, the army was sending its first team to flood-hit Slovenia to help the country and its people.

"Even though the situation is still very difficult and critical, our army and our soldiers are prepared to be up to the task and come to our Slovenian friends' assistance. That way, we are once again demonstrating that Serbia is a sincere and credible partner and a friend," Vucevic said.

Even when some policies are "unfair on our country, Serbia does not shun solidarity or standing with those who are in need of help," he said.

"I am certain that our officers, NCOs and soldiers will help Slovenian citizens and represent themselves, their units and, certainly, our country, Serbia, in the best possible way. I wish them that they may act courageously and wisely and complete their tasks and duties and have a good flight," he said.

Vucevic said 34 other Serbian Armed Forces servicemen and a convoy comprised of four fuel cisterns and four water cisterns would also head to Slovenia by land on Thursday.