In "Knjaz Mihailo" barracks in Nis an international military medical exercise MEDCEUR 2009 started which will last from 2 to 13 September, with more than 500 participants from 14 countries which will practice joint actions in providing relief and support to mass casualties and the injured in the natural disasters. The opening ceremony was attended by State Secretary Zoran Vesic, Head of the Health Care Department Brig. Gen. Veljko Todorovic, Head of the MMA Major General Miodrag Jevtic, Deputy JOC Commander Brig. Gen. Milan Mojsilovic and Deputy Lend Forces Commander Brig. Gen. Videoje Zivkovic.

On behalf of the ministry of defense, the Government of Serbia and SAF, State Secretary Vesic wished a warm welcome to the officers, NCOs, doctors and other exercise participants stating the following: “We are deeply convinced that MEDCEUR 2009 is a part of a well-beaten path we have taken in finding a joint response to numerous security challenges our region and the world are facing”. He also pointed out that our country’s decision to host this exercise should be looked upon as the best proof of Serbia’s commitment to a policy of indivisible security.

In his opening speech, Vesic also reminded the present guests that the “Humanitarian Assistance” project had just been finished in joint organization with the Ohio National Guard which proved to be successful in all aspects, and whose key word and message “humanism” lives on in MECEUR exercise, too. “Jointly, under the flags of 15 participating countries, you will work in joint effort, as a team in the spirit of the Partnership for Peace, exchanging experiences, attending seminars and a CIMIC course, while also conducting practical exercises.

One of the exercise coordinators, Lt. Col. Goran Desancic of the SAF GS, welcomed the p-articipants on behalf of the Multinational exercise command, stressing that MEDCEUR was not only an abbreviation standing for the exercise but rather a synonym for partnership, unity, humanity, developing professional relations, mutual trust and personal friendship. The efforts we have invested so far in organizing this exercise are a guarantee of yet another successful exercise and I expect you to find a proper response to those modern security challenges and risks we all face in today’s world, as it will be a synergy of individual effort and capabilities.

The other coordinator, Colonel Timothy Brown of EUCOM, thanked the hosts for their hospitality during this one year of planning and organizing the exercise underlining that the exercise would surely boost mutual trust, and understanding of peace support operations, while demonstrating commitment to the region and will enable greater interoperability and medical training with the host country in crisis management.

Before the opening of the exercise, State Secretary Zoran Vesic and Colonel Timothy Brown signed an understanding memorandum between the European Command and the Government of Serbia while Brig. Gen. Mojsilovic and Col. Brown signed the technical agreement.