The Liaison Office of the NATO Military Mission in Belgrade said that the issue of the return of compulsory military service in Serbia is a matter for the Serbian state authorities.

“NATO will continue to support Serbia’s efforts to modernize its armed forces within the framework of bilateral development and partnership,” NATO said in a response sent to Radio Free Europe on January 10.

NATO’s western military alliance also said it fully respects Serbia’s military neutrality.

“Everything Serbia and NATO do together is tailored to meet Serbia’s needs and help it improve its armed forces under the framework of the Partnership for Peace,” the alliance’s Liaison Office said in a response in Belgrade.

The initiative to restore compulsory military service was initiated by the General Staff of the Serbian Army and the proposal was sent to the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vučić, on January 4.

In its explanation, the army said that the proposal comes “after a detailed review of the overall security situation and contemporary challenges faced by Serbia as a militarily neutral country”.

Serbia waived compulsory military service on January 1, 2011, and since then only those who want to can join the army.