Minister Kotromanović sent a telegram of condolence to family of General Agotić

“With great regret I received the news of the sudden death of General Imra Agotić. In this difficult time, I want to express on my own behalf and on behalf of all employees of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces the deepest condolences for the departure of your husband and father, great general and remarkable man Imra Agotić.

His commitment to the honourable and responsible performance of duty during the Homeland war, as well as his invaluable contribution and dedication in creating and developing the Armed Forces and the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence will remain permanently in the memory of all who knew him and had the honour to work with him.

Dear family, although I know that at this moment there are no words that could ease your pain, know that with you at this difficult time, are all members of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces”, says the telegrams of Minister Kotromanović.

General Imra Agotić, the first commander of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence and Homeland War veteran was born on 12 January 1943 in Gorjani (Đakovo). He was a member of the Armed Forces since 1991.

On 2 July 1991, then with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel Agotić leaves the former JNA and made himself available to the Croatian President, who with his decision of 10 August 1991 assigned him for acting Chief of Staff of National Guard and the acting commander of the National Guard.

In October of 1991 the President of Croatia Franjo Tudjman appointed him as a chief negotiator with the representatives of the former Yugoslav army on their leaving the territory of Croatia. A month later he was promoted to the rank of Major General.

By Decision of the President in January 1992 General Imra Agotic was appointed the first commander of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence.

In March 1996 general Agotić was appointed Assistant Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces for the Croatian Air Force. He performed this duty until 21 February 2000 when the President of the Republic appointed him as his assistant for defence and military issues.

As at 31 December 2002 general Agotić was retired as an active military person, prior to which he was promoted to the rank of 4-star General. President appoints him on 1 February 2003 as his national security advisor. He held this position until 2005.

General Agotić was also a participant in the negotiations on the departure of the JNA from Croatia and a member of the State Commission for Relations with UNPROFOR.

For his contribution to the defence of Croatia, he was awarded with high state awards and medals. He is the holder of the Homeland War Memorial, Homeland Gratitude Memorial, Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski, Order of Ban Jelačić, Order of Croatian Trefoil, and Flash, Summer ’95 and Storm medals.