Defence Minister Josip Buljević visits Croatian Navy
Defence Minister Josip Buljević visited the Croatian Navy on 26 February 2016, the Lora Navy Port and the Navy fleet. He was accompanied by the Advisors to the President of the Republic, Andro Krstulović Opara and Ante Deur and Defence Inspector, Lieutenant General Mirko Šundov.
The delegation was welcomed by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Drago Lovrić and the Navy Commander, Commodore Predrag Stipanović and other civilian and military officials.
After the review of the honorary column of the Croatian Navy and the respects paid in the Memorial Room of the Fallen Members of the Croatian Navy, the Commander Predrag Stipanović delivered a presentation on Navy’s tasks and missions, the organisation, modernisation and future operation plans.
Minister Buljević in his address praised the Croatian Navy’s role in continuing the glorious Croatian naval tradition and the protection of the sovereignty in the Adriatic. The Minister stated that he followed proudly the reports on the participation of the Croatian Navy in the Operation “Triton“, in which the Croatian seamen demonstrated their experience and readiness coupled with the humanism and empathy. You have much to be proud of, the crew of the “Andrija Mohorovičić“ training ship has merited the award “Pride of Croatia“. The maintained capability of the anti-ship missile RBS 15 is another major achievement. You help build an integral, sustainable and effective system that guarantees stability and security to the citizens of Croatia“, said Minister Buljević.
The Chief of Armed Forces General Staff,General Drago Lovrić expressed pride over the achieved and demonstrated capabilities of the Navy (the successful firing of the RBS-15B missiles) and the naval artillery operation as important Navy capacity multiplier. “The Navy has expanded its capabilities to build naval capacities in addition to the Coast Guard“. General Lovrić also praised the participation of the Croatian Navy in the exercises and international operations, for which its personnel repeatedly received accolades“.
Minister Buljević visited the Navy’s Operations Centre and the Naval Training Centre, as well as the “King Dmitar Zvonimir” and “Vukovar” Missile Boats, where the signed the Visitors’s Book.