Croatian Defence Academy marks 25th anniversary

It was attended by the President of the Republic of Croatia as the Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the Envoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Davor Romić, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Defence Minister of the Republic of Croatia Damir Krstičević, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov, the Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy Lieutenant General Slavko Barić, the representatives of the academic community and other senior civilian and  military officials. Alongside the former and present staff of the Academy, attending the ceremony were family members of the Croatian eminent figures after whom the Academy components were named (the families Tuđman, Bobetko, Zadro, Matijaš and Tomljanović).

The President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović expressed satisfaction for the opportunity to extend the congratulations on the occasion of the establishment of the Academy, which in 2015 was justly named after the first President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Franjo Tuđman, the man who had a vision of Croatian statehood, which should be the leading principle for the Croatian Defence Academy as well. The Academy bears the primary  responsibility for the future generations of the Armed Forces and by extension for the future of Croatia“. 
The President also underlined the important changes introduced in the Academy in the past years, with the inception of the university study programmes Military Engineering and Military Management. The process needs to follow the same or faster timeline as it constitutes the true added value of the military education system.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the Republic of Croatia Damir Krstičević congratulated on the 25 anniversary and the Academy’s staff contribution to the development of the Croatian Armed Forces on behalf of the Prime Minister and on his personal behalf. “The Croatian Defence Academy has a vital role in shaping   modern Croatian armed forces, The Academy has to continue following the trends and the development of technology and incorporate the most relevant international experience and tailor its programmes accordingly, The Academy has entered a new phase as its educational system has been integrated with the academic community and harmonised with the Bologna requirements. The Academy staff has demonstrated to be ready to take on new challenges, and needs to keep developing and adapt in view of the rapid changes in the world today“. The Minister concluded by wishing the Croatian Defence Academy staff success in future. 

Extending personal congratulations on the anniversary, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov said that the Croatian Defence Academy had over the past 25 years grown into an education institution to the pride of the Croatian people. “Nowadays, thanks to the education provided by the Croatian Defence Academy the members of the Croatian Armed Forces competently exercise their tasks in peace support missions and operations side by side with the members of the allied and partner countries’ armed forces“.

The Commander of the Academy, Lieutenant General Slavko Barić extended congratulations to all the members contributing to its growth and continuing the mission re-organising the Academy into a modern component of the university community.  “The Croatian Defence Academy is a unique institution in the Republic of Croatia, and is committed to the education of cadets and life-long learning of the active duty personnel. Our next step is to reorganise the Academy into a key institution providing education of the professional staff in all domains of the national security“ .Lt. Gen. Barić concluded his address by reiterating the congratulations on the contribution.  

The ceremony included the presentation of decorations and awards to the meriting members, and it was preceded by the President of the Republic formal opening of the Cadet Club.
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