Base South as international training centre by 2017

BUJANOVAC - Base South in Bujanovac, southern Serbia, will become an international training centre for soldiers from around the world for participation in peacekeeping operations, Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic and U.S. Ambassador in Serbia Michael Kirby announced on Thursday, attending the Platinum Wolf 2014 exercise.

Gasic specified that 50 hectares of land around the base would be purchased in the next two years and that a sports hall will be built in the base, as well as additional capacities for accommodation of a larger number of international soldiers.

Ambassador Kirby confirmed that the U.S. will continue providing expert and financial assistance for refurbishment of Base South so that it may become a multinational centre for soldier training.

The multinational tactical exercise Platinum Wolf 2014 began on June 30 and will end on Friday. The exercise gathers 272 servicemen from Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Croatia and the United States.

The objective of the exercise is experience-sharing and training in handling non-lethal weapons, as well as training in activities required for peacekeeping missions.

Photo Tanjug, Z. Zestic (Archive, illustration)