Ceremonial seeing off of the 43rd HRVCON deploying to KFOR operation in the Republic of Kosovo
In operations around the world, our female and male soldiers are recognized as top professionals, who understand others and are ready to help, State Secretary Matanović emphasized
On Tuesday, 20 May 2025, at the Colonel Predrag Matanović barracks in Petrinja, the 43rd Croatian Contingent (HRVCON) was ceremoniously seen off to KFOR (Kosovo Force) peace support operation in the Republic of Kosovo.
Envoy of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, State Secretary Drago Matanović, wished members of the 43rd HRVCON a safe departure for the operation and successful completion of their tasks.
“Your tasks in KFOR are challenging and involve much more than a military approach. I believe that you will know how to choose the right way to overcome challenges, always remaining, in every situation, in many ways ambassadors of the homeland of Croatia,” State Secretary Matanović said, emphasizing the exceptional importance of KFOR for the Croatian Armed Forces, but also for the Republic of Croatia.
The Commander of the 43rd HRVCON, Colonel Ivan Veingartner, said on this occasion that he was proud of the contingent’s members who had completed all their tasks to date in the best possible way.
“I am convinced that each of us, in our duties and tasks, will continue to build the reputation and respect that Croatian soldiers and the Croatian state enjoy among the inhabitants of Kosovo,” Colonel General Veingartner said.
Also joining the KFOR operation is 1st Lieutenant Marija Bursek, the company’s Deputy Commander, who stressed: “I am confident that we will continue a series of successful operations of the Croatian contingents in Kosovo. It is up to us to continue building the credibility of Croatian soldiers in the area of operation.”
“This is my first deployment to KFOR operation. One of our tasks will be to provide humanitarian aid to local population,” Sergeant Fran Šnirarić said.
The 43rd HRVCON has a total of 154 members of the Croatian Army
In the KFOR area of operation, the 43rd HRVCON will have 154 members, nine of whom are women. In addition to the main body consisting of members of the Motorized Infantry Company, the 43rd Contingent also includes an aviation and headquarters component, logistics and intelligence teams, a national support element, and a medical team.
The basic tasks of the contingent relate to support to local and international organizations (Kosovo Police and EULEX), the ability to deploy to the area of the Regional Command West, conducting joint patrols, etc.
Croatian Armed Forces have been participating in the KFOR peace support operation since 2009, based on a decision of the Croatian Parliament from July 2008.
So far, a total of 2,240 members of the Croatian Armed Forces have participated in this operation, of which 125 are women.
The KFOR operation is of particular importance to the Republic of Croatia, as it is located in the immediate vicinity and may have special implications for the stability of the entire region. Therefore, the ambition of the Republic of Croatia is to continue its involvement through its presence in the Republic of Kosovo until the end of the NATO-led KFOR operation, as long as it is necessary.
In addition to families of the contingent members and envoy of the Minister of Defence, State Secretary Drago Matanović, and Director of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Major General Denis Tretinjak, the ceremonial seeing off of the 43rd HRVCON was also attended by envoy of the Croatian Army Commander, Commander of the Guards Motorized Brigade, Colonel Mirko Stošić, and Deputy Commander of the Command and Operational Centre (ZOS), Colonel Tomislav Kasumović.
