Croatian Navy marks 25h Anniversary
The central ceremony of the marking of the Croatian Navy Day and of the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the Croatian Navy was held in Šibenik on 16 September 2016.
It was attended by the President of the Republic as Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the Defence Minister Josip Buljević, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov, the Commander of the Croatian Navy, Rear admiral Predrag Stipanović, a number of former and present member of the Navy and senior visitors.
The President in her address congratulated the 25th anniversary “ my appreciation goes to the seamen, NCOs and officers of the Croatian Navy who during the Homeland War gave immense contribution to the independence and sovereignty of Croatia. As we are also marking the 25th anniversary of the battle for Šibenik, I am extending my gratitude and sincere congratulations to the brave defenders waging the battle, particularly those in the island of Žirje. The battle for Šibenik was one of the crucial ones for the defence of Dalmatia, which enabled the liberation of the occupied territories of Croatia. The President also congratulated on the endeavours and the commitment which merited the Croatian Armed Forces the membership and equal status among NATO nations, and Croatia a respectable and constructive member of the European Union and of the international community. The Defence Minister Josip Buljević extended his congratulations to the members of the Croatian Navy as well. “Šibenik is the place where the first combat vessels were restored to Croatia, which served as the nucleus of the Croatian Navy. Its members have spent the past 25 years building it into a respectable force, a guarantee of security and stablity of the Adriatic Sea, Top-trained members of the Croatian Navy constitute its main asset, and it should remain so“, said the Minister “.
The Chief of the General Staff, General Mirko Šundov proudly congratulated on the Croatian Navy Day and on the 25th anniversary, coinciding with the marking of the September war in Šibenik, the town whose residents defended Dalmatia and Croatia. „Croatia is duly proud of its maritime traditon, naval construction but mostly of its people. The members of the Croatian Navy continue the glorious revolution of their predecessors. You have invested for years into your knowledge and skills and successfully adapted to the new tasks and requirements“.
The Commander of the Croatian Navy, Rear admiral Predrag Stipanović recalled the 25 years of toil, sacrifice, growth, the development of capabilities and the acquisition of new skills and knowledge. “The appointment of Fleet Admiral Sveto Letica as the Commander of the Croatian Navy on 12 September 1991 marked the integration of the Croatian Navy into the Croatian armed forces. It laid the foundation for a small yet intrepid navy. “We shall continue to invest into our skills and abilities, serving our nation and the homeland“, said the Commander.
On the occasion of the anniversary the promotions and commendations were assigned to the meriting members of the Croatian Navy. The President of the Republic, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović toured the “Petar Krešimir IV“ missile boat. Prior to the ceremony the President laid the wreath into the sea from the training ship “Učka“ for all fallen defenders of the Homeland War.
The marking ceremony continued with the opportunity for the citizens of Šibenik (16 and 17 September), Split, Pula, Omiš and Makarska (18 September) to tour the ships of the Croatian Navy.
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