Christmas and New Year’s greetings of the Minister of Defence and Chief of General Staff

Greeting of the Defence Minister upon the Christmas and New Year holidays

Dear employees of the Croatian Defence Ministry, Dear members of the Croatian Armed Forces,

I wish you all the best upon the Christmas and the New 2013.

The Year at the end before you all put the responsible and arduous task. However, as always, you have successfully addressed them on pride of all Croatian citizens. Despite the limited resources, savings and rationalization, thanks to you, soldiers, NCOs and officers, public servants and all other employees, in 2012, we achieved another international historic success: the full integration of our Armed Forces into NATO. In such an atmosphere, we will perform our tasks even better, and it is our duty for you to provide you with adequate resources and conditions.

I would like that the end of this year, like every other year, will be radiant with joy and happiness. Whether you will be in Croatia or abroad, at home in the company of loved ones, or in the workplace, on the ground, in the mission or operation, let all of you have peace, security and happiness.

We will never forget to remember those who have enabled us the peaceful Christmas 2012: these are our deceased defenders. I extend special greetings and expressions of respect to their families.

Greeting of Chief of General Staff

Dear soldiers, sailors, NCOs, officers, generals and admirals, members of the Croatian Armed Forces in operations and peace support missions, cadets, civil servants and employees, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces,

winding up this year’s plans and objectives, I am pleased with our accomplishments and proud of our results. The Armed Forces have completed this year the process of integrating into the structures and processes of NATO. At the same time, they have successfully completed all the tasks of supporting civil structures. In all these activities, there was a full expression of devotional service to the Homeland and its citizens. With all of the tasks in the country, we continued participation in peace support operations.

Many members of the Croatian Armed Forces at this time are separated from their families executing the demanding and responsible tasks worldwide. All of us together, at home and abroad, we present our Homeland, our Armed Forces and the true value of the Croatian soldiers.

With special respect in these festive days, we remember all those who gave their lives for peace and freedom of our beautiful country. In these days of fellowship, we miss them the most.

Waiting for Christmas, the feast of the human and family community, we think on the achievements, as well as incentives for the new steps that brought to us the spirit of Christmas. In this spirit of togetherness, I whish you in the new 2013, to you and to members of your family, a merry Christmas and happy holidays, with plenty of peace and joy, success and health!