Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated on Sunday that the Interior Ministry (MUP) and the police are one of the main factors of stability and security in Serbia.

He pointed out that this is the reason why the material position of MUP employees and police needs to be improved, and pointed out that investments in the police service represent an investment in the country's security and defence and preservation of its national interests.

At the ceremony staged in the Educational Centre in Makis, near Belgrade, on the occasion of the Day of the Serbian MUP and the Day of the Police, Dacic pointed out the significant role the police play in the preservation of security of citizens and the country, as well as in the entire region.

The minister underscored that the police have only one task, that is, to defend the country's territorial integrity, preserve public order and peace and fight against organised crime and terrorism, regardless of who may be sitting in the government. Dacic recalled that around 1.000 police officers lost their lives performing their duty over the past 20 years, and underlined that the MUP would continue taking care of their families.

The ceremony is being attended by Serbian President Boris Tadic, Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, many ministers and a great number of citizens.

In addition to numerous prominent public figures and athletes, the celebration of the Day of the Serbian MUP is also being attended by Director of the Security Information Agency Sasa Vukadinovic, police officials from the region, church officials and Chief of Staff of the Serbian Army General Miloje Miletic, as well as officials of police services of Republika Srpska, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, FYRMacedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Romania, Hungary, Italy and other countries.