Prime Minister held a lecture at the Military Academy

The Prime Minister was welcomed by the Defence Minister Davor Bozinovic. “The Croatian Military Academy is the place where the young members of the Armed Forces during the school receive the rich experience gained during the Homeland war as well as the latest knowledge and skills which makes armed forces strong and where people are the greatest value”, Bozinovic said. He stressed our participation in international operations. He also said that students and their lecturers present current and future driving force of modern trends in the armed forces, and the bearers of knowledge to achieve the most demanding tasks in the CAF.
The lecture of the Prime Minister Kosor was attended by deputy chiefs of General Staff Lieutenant General Slavko Baric and Rear Admiral Zdenko Simicic, Director of the Military Academy Major General Mirko Sundov, Deputy Director of Military Academy and the Commander of the War College “Ban Josip Jelacic” Brigadier General Slaven Zdilar and others.
When addressing the present, Prime Minister stressed that 2011 has been particularly important for Croatia. This year, which marks the twentieth anniversary of Croatian independence, should be a year in which Croatia would complete negotiations on accession to the European Union and sign the accession agreement. The Republic of Croatia in the current development of its defence system has achieved many important results, made a lot of valuable things that ultimately resulted in the Croatian membership in NATO, but – Kosor stressed -our job is not finished and reforms needs to be implemented further. “A lot of excellent work we have done to combat the crisis, but also in the fight against all that is evil, and what eroded Croatian society”, the Prime Minister said, and in particular, stressed that the fight against crime and corruption in society would be lead more vigorous and more decisively and that it has not been a campaign but a way of life.
In his speech, Prime Minister stressed the important role that Croatia had in the security architecture of the European Union, and the support we give to our neighbours on their path to Euro-Atlantic integrations, thereby contributing to the stabilization of our closest neighbourhood, of the region and wider Europe. Croatia already, by its involvement in the EU missions and in the multinational unit under the leadership of the European Union, led by Germany and Sweden, has been making its contribution to security and defence architecture of the European Union.
Prime Minister especially emphasized the role of Croatian troops participating in peacekeeping missions, where a large number of them gained their experience during the Homeland war. “I expressed enormous respect for them all, to their expertise, with the desire to be the best at what they do and to happy return to their homes”.
When concluding her lecture on the Croatian Military Academy, Prime Minister pointed out that Croatia has been now an indispensable partner of the United States and the European Union in the stabilization of this area. The first and enduring task is to defend the integrity of the Republic of Croatia in every way, and to act within NATO.
Further important tasks which have to be solved in time that follows have been put in front of the Republic of Croatia. Kosor stressed that regardless of the economic situation and the fact that this was election year, the key reforms in the defence system could not wait. Special emphasis should on the implementation of technological modernization in accordance with available funds with establishing a functioning personnel management system, revitalization of military education system and finding ways to improve working and living standards of military and civilian employees of our defence sector.