Lieutenant General Ljubiša Jokić took over the duty of the Chief of Defence of the Armed Forces of Montenegro

At the ceremony, held in the barracks “Milovan Šaranović” in Danilovgrad, the President of Montenegro Filip Vujanović handed over to the General Jokić the flag of the Armed Forces of Montenegro which is taken over from the Admiral Samardzić and obligated the new Chief of Defence to perform the duty in accordance with the Constitution and Law. 

Minister of Defence, Mr Predrag Bošković thanked the Admiral Samardzić for the contribution that he gave during his mandate and congratulated the General Jokić on undertaking the new duty for which duty, as he said, was recommended by tremendous experience, knowledge and professional attitude toward the obligations.

„In the future, our basic task will be to strengthen the Armed Forces as institution and to give back the dignity and reputation which belongs to the Armed Forces. We have clear vision and precise plans how to modernize the Armed Forces and to improve its capabilities in order that as a part of collective security system be able together with allies respond on contemporary challenges and risks” said Minister Bošković.

Admiral Samardžić thanked his past collaborators and especially the AF members: 

“You with your professional attitude toward the obligations have mostly contributed to all our successes and you have made the Armed Forces appreciated and recognised partner and soon ally” said Admiral. He said that the Armed Forces of Montenegro since the restoration of independence went through demanding process of transformation and reforms.

“Now it is certain that we are only few months far away from the full-fledged membership in NATO and we may all together be proud for the enormous contribution that the Armed Forces of Montenegro gave in the road toward achieving of that strategic goal “, stressed Admiral Samardžić.

General Jokić pointed out that Montenegro in its rich history, always had the Armed Forces based on tradition, honourable ancestors and proud successors.

„We had from whom what to inherit, to be proud and to keep it from oblivion. But we have much more to do and to improve in order to respond to the demands that are in front of us “stressed the General jokić. He said that from his close collaborators in the General Staff and from the Commanders of the Units has demanded to recognise the best ones and most capable people to whom will be given the trust, and to strengthen the capabilities and improve the readiness of the Armed Forces for executing the assigned tasks. “From all superiors and Commanders I demand that by personal example contribute to enhancement of discipline and  to cultivate the attributes that adorn the Armed Forces: planned work, seriousness, subordination, respecting their subordinates because by respecting them they will respect also themselves and uniforms that they wear” stressed new Chief of Defense.

Ceremony attended the President of the Parliament Ivan Brajović, President of the Parliament’s Security and Defence Committee Obrad Mišo Stanišić, Military Attachés accredited in Montenegro as well as the members of the Collegium of the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence.