20th anniversary of Navy

Before the central ceremony, Navy Orchestra performed reveille through Split streets in the early morning, wreaths were laid at the Memorial Room in the Navy Command, in front of the monument to killed Croatian soldiers in the Homeland War and at the central cross and at the tomb of the first Navy Commander Admiral Sveto Letica in Lovrinac Cemetery. Wreaths were laid by the President and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Ivo Josipovic accompanied by representative of the Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Slavko Baric, a delegation of Navy led by Commander Rear Admiral Ante Urlic and delegations of Split and Dalmatia County and the city of Split.

President Josipovic also in accordance with maritime tradition laid a wreath into the sea from “Dubrovnik” rocket launcher in memory of all the Croatian sailors killed.

Central ceremony was attended by President Ivo Josipovic, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, Minister of Defence Davor Bozinovic, Minister of Family, Veterans and Intergenerational Solidarity, Tomislav Ivic, state secretaries, representatives of Split and Dalmatia County and the city of Split, military attaches accredited to Croatia, families of deceased seamen and numerous other guests.
Congratulating the Croatian Navy Day and its 20^th anniversary, high-level government and military officials reminded on the history of the creation of the Navy, a role it had during the Homeland War and stressed the significance it has now in the preservation of safety at sea.

In his address President Josipovic specifically recalled the deaths of sailors as well as first and second Navy Commanders Admiral Sveto Letica and Vid Stipetic. He pointed out that Croatia has been a maritime country for centuries and that the Adriatic has been our link with the world and freedom. “The Croatian Navy has a major role in the protection of Croatian sovereignty over the sea and to respond to modern security challenges”, Josipovic said expressing his confidence that Navy would meet all the expectations set before it in the future.

Congratulating all Navy members the twentieth anniversary, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor recalled on the beginning of the establishment of the Navy in September 1991 and reflected on the first actions of Croatian soldiers at the sea. “You have put your strength and knowledge in creating free and sovereign Republic of Croatia. You with your efforts, your patriotism and capabilities defend our sea, coast and islands”, PM said. The PM reminded with special reverence on 54 members of the Navy who laid down their lives for Croatia’s freedom. PM also expressed her pride that members of the Navy today, apart from executing traditional tasks, have been participating in international missions and operations. The Prime Minister stressed the need to continue the modernization of the Navy and set as an objective the construction of new ships for the Navy that would be built in Croatian shipyards.
On behalf of the Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces congratulations to the members of the Navy were sent by Deputy Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Slavko Baric, which, inter alia, expressed his satisfaction with the release of a monography on the history and development of the Navy. “Croatian sailors sailed under many flags, but the victories achieved under the Croatian flag have the greatest value for us”, General Baric said, adding that the Navy must continue to develop its skills for the protection of Croatian sovereignty at sea.

Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ante Urlic stressed the necessity of continuing the equipping and modernization of the Navy and the importance of strengthening the Coast Guard, which will further contribute to safety on the Adriatic.

Upon 20^th anniversary Navy members were awarded with medals, promotions, commendations and awards. Split citizens and everyone who came to celebrate with our sailors their day could visit Navy ships, and attend a concert by the Navy Orchestra and St. George Band at Split’s central square.