The Croatian Independence Day and 23rd Anniversary of the General Staff marked
The Croatian Independence Day and the Croatian Armed Forces General Staff Day were marked by a ceremony held in the Dom HV “Zvonimir” in Zagreb on 7 October 2014.
The ceremony was attended by most senior officials, including the Defence Minister, Ante Kotromanović, the Chief of the General Staff, General Drago Lovrić, the Croatian President’s Defence Advisor and Envoy, Zlatko Gareljić, the former Chiefs of the General Staff, service commanders and other officials.
The President of the Republic’s Defence Advisor and Envoy, Zlatko Gareljić addressed the audience congratulating the Croatian Independence Day and the General Staff Day, reminding of the perilous conditions in which the independence was won and of the important role of the General Staff in the mission.
“Today the Croatian Armed Forces constitute a vital segment of the security and defence system, and are the critical element of its efficiency. They provide the security of the residents and the assistance in the event of natural disasters“.
Defence Minister, Ante Kotromanović recalled the 21 September 1991, the date of the establishment of the General Staff. “It is with pride that I remember the times of the establishment of the General Staff and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia. In those critical days we invested utmost courage and morale and succeeded in liberating our country, while today our work has earned us the entry to NATO and the European Union“, said the Defence Minister, who also underlined the importance of the existence of the General Staff and the Armed Forces as the lasting value.
“Once our offices in the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces are over, we shall move on, but we have to leave behind us an institution that must continue its development. The future Croatian Armed Forces will be a small but strong organisation with superb and continuosly trained manpower“, said the Minister.
The Chief of the General Staff, General Drago Lovrić congratulating the Croatian Independence and the General Staff Day, recalled the Homeland War and critical battles and the struggle for the independence. He also praised the vision and the managing qualities of the former Chiefs of the General Staff, whose knowledge and perseverance enabled the Croatian Armed Forces conduct proper tasks and in proper manner.
General Lovrić also emphasised the importance the Croatian Armed Forces have in the peacetime. “Our Allies and partners praise Croatia as a solid and reliable partner, who evinces high responsibility in fulfilling all of its duties“ stated General Lovrić.
On the occasion of the Croatian Independence and the General Staff Day, Brigadier General Ivan Jurić has been presented with a prize and Brigadier General Ivica Olujić with a commendation from the President of the Republic as Supreme Commander; likewise, under the Decision of the President 140 officers of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces have been promoted on the occasion, 11 officers have been decorated with the Order of the Croatian Three-strand pattern and Lt.Col. Ivica Čelik with the Order of the Croatian Trefoil respectively.
Marking the Croatian Armed Forces General Staff Day, the delegations of the Croatian Armed Forces paid respects to the late Chiefs of the General Staff – General of the Army Janko Bobetko in the Sisak cemetery and General of the Army Zvonimir Červenko, General of the Army Martin Špegelj and General Imra Agotić in the Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb.