CTU celebrates its day, patron saint, hands out plaques

BELGRADE - The Counter-Terrorist Unit (CTU) on Wednesday marked its day with demonstration exercises also attended by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic.

At the training range in the Lipovica Forest, CTU members performed exercises demonstrating the unit's capabilities in dealing with crisis situations in public buildings, as well as methods of protecting the president and martial arts skills.

At the CTU Day ceremony, the unit handed out plaques to the Serbian president and Interior Ministry Director Milorad Veljovic to thank them for their cooperation, with Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic to receive the recognition at a later date.

The Minister of Labour, Veteran and Social Affairs Aleksandar Vulin was awarded the Golden Gryphon statuette - the highest accolade handed out by the CTU to senior state officials for supporting the unit.

Alongside other police and military units, the CTU protects the security and happiness of the citizens and children of Serbia, President Nikolic said.

There is more than one way of protecting the country and the nation, but being part of those units requires a particular level of courage, Nikolic stressed.

The president said that he has been cooperating with the unit for two years and that a recognition from those who are committed to the security of the citizens - also protecting his own and his family's security - means much to him.

Interior Ministry Director Veljovic said that the CTU, alongside the police and the armed forces, will remain a pillar of national security and that it is always prepared to deal with any task assigned to it by the president or the government.

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