General Staff of Croatian Armed Forces marks 25th Anniversary

The ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic as Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces, Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, Deputy Defence Minister  Tomislav Ivić, the Chief of the General Staff, General Mirko Šundov, Military Bishop, Mons Jure Bogdan, the officials of the Office of the President and of the Ministry of Defence, general and admiral officers, the former chiefs and the members of the Croatian Armed Forces.
The President extended her congratulations on the anniversary, stating that modern Croatia was earned primarily by the togetherness and sacrifice of the Croatian patriots, primarily the members of the Croatian National Guard, the Croatian Army and of the Ministry of the Interior.
“Many of you who have gathered here today took part  in the historic events; a lot has changed since, but the Croatian Armed Forces have remained a respectable and efficient professional military organisation ready at any time to respond to security challenges.
The role of the General Staff is crucial as the central place for reflecting on the future role of the Armed Forces. The GS is expected to demonstrate initiative and innovative thinking, proposals for new solutions towards a  continuous development of the Armed Forces, the achievement of the needed capabilities necessary for facing new security challenges and an efficient defence of the Republic of Croatia.
Deputy Defence Minister Tomislav Ivić recalled the early days of the defence and the Croatian military, characterised by iron-strong determination and cohesion among the Croatians which was to be channelled  into a system capable of responding to the existential challenges faced by Croatia.
Deputy Minister underlined the need to recognise the sign of the times, as was the case in the Homeland War and the post-war reconstruction efforts and expressed the confidence in continued striving for excellence and new standards and directing of the victorious force towards new achievements to the pride of all citizens.
Congratulating on the anniversary of the General Staff (established pursuant to the decision by President Tuđman on 21 September 1991) the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov recalled the historic events and stressed that Croatian military victoriously arrived to the internationally recognised borders of the Republic of Croatia led by the outstanding officers who had the vision of a victorious army and the competence to make the vision reality. “We are today commemorating 25 years of a nation and a military. We have come a long way from the birth to maturity, and can proudly affirm that the Croatian Armed Forces, led by the General Staff, are ready and capable of fulfilling any task“.
The 25th anniversary of the General Staff was the opportunity to express  gratitude and present commendations and awards to the meriting individuals. The programme featured a musical performance by the Symphonic Orchestra of the Croatian Armed Forces, conducted by Lt Col. Miroslav Vukovojac-Dugan.
The delegations of the Croatian Armed Forces laid wreaths and lit the candles on the graves of the deceased chiefs and Mons. Bogdan served a mass in the chapel dedicated to Saint John Paul II.

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