379 students promoted at the Military Academy “Petar Zrinski”

In this school year at all levels of education, 379 participants among whom were 42 women and 15 students from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia and Macedonia completed their education.

In his address to the present President Ivo Josipovic congratulated the students on completion of training. “We expect the maximum responsibility and professionalism in performing of your duties at home and abroad”, Josipovic said. He added that Croatia has been now respected member of the international community, member of NATO, a long time member of the Council of Europe, member of the United Nations, and very soon a member of the European Union and a participant in a number of different regional organizations and initiatives. “I particularly emphasize our membership in the European Union. Practically tomorrow, soon, you’ll be a member of one of Europe’s armies. Be of pride to our citizens, state and society, the pride of their families and friends,” the Croatian President said.

“Your education is completed at the time when the Croatian Military Academy turns 20 years of successful work. In this period, more than 28 000 participants have been on various forms of education in Military Academy. More than 140 participants from other countries as well as participants from other bodies of the Croatian government”, Minister of Defence Davor Bozinovic said at the beginning of his address, adding that the system of military education was an area where you directly see the openness of the armed forces to innovations. Speaking about plans for the coming period as well as about developing a new Strategic Defence Review, the Minister said that the students of military schools complete their education at a time when the armed forces and the entire defence system was entering a new phase of development. “Our membership in NATO and the growing involvement into the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union, which includes consideration of our future work in both organizations, have initiated the process of reviewing past plans and the modus operandi of the defence system. The result of these activities will be the new Strategic Defence Review, which will provide guidance for the development of the armed forces until 2020. To achieve these goals is not enough just to get new high-tech systems. These should be effectively used. So, in the first place should be a man, not the technology. Therefore, we in the new Strategic overview will provide guidance of the next phase of development of military education and military training to connect it with the national education system that seeks to strengthen academic standards within the system and the integration of scientific research and educational activities”, Minister Bozinovic said. At the end of his address the Minister spoke to the families and friends of students having stressed that it was a great honour to have the soldier, NCOs or officer in the family and on behalf of the Croatian Government expressed appreciation for the effort and sacrifice over the years invested so we would all come together to this day.

When addressing the present, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovric said that our soldiers were recognized as excellent soldiers and reliable allies. “Your knowledge, experience and will been incorporated in a further development of the armed forces which should be on pride of all Croatian citizens. The armed forces continue to develop a system of military education, whose emphasis will be on permanent education”, General Lovric said. Stressing that he was extremely proud of the 15 foreign students who completed their education on the Croatian Military Academy, General Lovric at the end thanked all those who provided quality education.

The present were also greeted by the HVU Director Major General Mirko Sundov. “You showed that you are the best, that you are those we count on. So you in the best way took

the opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills and abilities relevant to your professional career and for the integration process with both partners in NATO and in the military structure of the European Union”, General Sundov said.