26 Anniversary of General Staff of CAF

The formal ceremony marking the 26th anniversary of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces was held in the Dom HV “Zvonimir” in Zagreb on 17 October 2017.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević as Envoy of the President of the Republic, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov, the representatives of the organisational units of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces, former chiefs of the General Staff and many distinguished visitors.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević extended appreciation to all former chiefs of the General Staff, and their contribution to the development of the victorious Croatian Army.
“It is our lasting task to upgrade the living and working quality of the members of the Croatian Armed Forces. Abandoning the concept of the commuting military was important in that regard. The Croatian Armed Forces need to be present in the Croatian towns, and indeed they have returned to Sinj and shortly to the heroic town of Vukovar too, then to Ploče and to Varaždin. The Minister concluded

“Military profession is increasingly popular in the young population. We have received the third generation of voluntery servicemen in the current year, for the first time since the intoduction in 2008. The Croatian Armed Forces are guarding proudly the values of the Homeland War, reminding of the historical accomplishments and heroes who marked Croatia’s struggle for independence. I am especially pleased to witness to Croatian soldiers displaying top abilities, competences and motivation in the conduct of a wide spectre of demanding tasks at home and abroad”.

Minister Krstičević reiterated the importance of the co-operation between the Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces “The synergy we have achieved affirms my belief that the future projects aimed at enhanced security of our country will be executed as cost-effectively and efficiently”.
I therefore call on to you to continue the efforts towards stronger Croatia, laid by the predecessors in the General Staff since the Homeland War”.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov extended appreciation to the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević or the great effort and support during the drafting of strategic documents and the overall support provided to the Croatian Armed Forces. “It is an immense honour and responsibility to lead the Croatian Armed Forces we were building together during the fight for the survival of the Croatian people. It is a great pride to belong to the line of the chiefs of the General Staff of the Croatian Army, and subsequently of the Croatian Armed Forces, all of whom gave a major contribution to their development during their terms. The Croatian Armed Forces have become a respectable military, competently fulfilling all tasks entrusted, at home and abroad”.

In his statement for the media Minister Krstičević summarised the achievements of the Ministry in the past year and underlined the Government’s important stride towards defence and security of future generations.

“My view is that we have achieved a lot together. After a six-year period of continuous decrease of defence budget it has now grown by 9%; 350 mil Kuna more have been allocated for the Croatian Armed Forces,and 450 mil more are planned for the next year. In the current year a new National Security Strategy has been adopted, after 15 years, and the framework of the national security system put in place”, said the Minister.

“The year 2017 is dedicated to soldiers, NCOs and officers. We are managing a number of projects aimed at upgrading life quality“. The Minister also underlined the importance of preserving the values of the Homeland War, also through the initiatives of naming the conference halls in the Ministry after the outstanding members of the Croatian Armed Forces and the legendary guards brigades as well as the return of units of the Croatian Armed Forces to Sinj, Vukovar, Varaždin and Ploče”.

The Minister highlighted the role and contribution of the Croatian Armed Forces assisting the civilian population hit by fires and floods, and concluded that the Croatian soldiers were close to the people, ready to act and assist whenever necessary.

The main marking event was the presentation of decorations, promotions and awards to the meriting members of the Croatian Armed Forces. Pursuant to the decision of the President of the Republic as Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović a total of 137 officers have been promoted and received commendations. The Chief of the General Staff decided on promoting 136 NCOs and commended 31 employees.

The Deputy Chief of the General Staff decided on ten awards and commendations, and the Director of the General Staff two members of the Croatian Armed Forces respectively. The Defence Minister also commended and awarded eight employees of the Ministry on the occasion.

On the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the GS CAF the delegation of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces, headed by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Drago Matanović laid wreath on the tomb of the former Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army Janko Bobetko in the Sisak City cemetery.

The delegations of the MInistry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces, headed by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov laid wreaths at the tombs of former chiefs of the General Staff – enerals of the Army Martin Špegelj and Zvonimir Červenko at the Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb: a mass was recited in the Chapel “St. John Paul II” by Military Chaplain Marko Medo. A musical programme was performed by the Orchestra of the Croatian Armed Forces and the Croatian Navy’s Vocal Ensemble “Sv. Juraj“ and soloist Barbara Suhodolčan.