President of the Republic and Defence Minister visit 4th HRVCON
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Croatian Armed Forces and of the Croatian Army the President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović as the Supreme Commander and the Defence Minister Josip Buljević visited the members of the 4th HRVCON to the Resolute Support Mission located in Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul.
In Mazar-e-Sharif the President and the Minister were welcomed by the Commander of the Croatian Army, Lieutenant General Mate Ostović, the Commander of the Operations Centre of the General Staff, Colonel Krešimir Tuškan and the Commander of the 4th HRVCON, Colonel Mato Matanović.
The President of the Republic of Croatia and the Defence Minister were also welcomed by the Commander of TAAC-North, Brigadier General Hartmut Renk (GER), who briefed them on the operation of the Command and the situation in its area of responsibility.
The Contingent members briefed the President and the Minister on their respective tasks.
“The visit to the members of the 4 the HRVCON to Resolute Support Mission is taking place on the eve of the 25th Anniversary of the Croatian Armed Forces, and was indeed one of the motives to meet with the Croatian soldiers providing their contribution to combating terrorism here in Afgshanistan. The Resolute Support Mission continues Operation ISAF, and we are to discuss its future with the allies and the representatives of the coalition here in Afghanistan too“, said the President.
Minister Buljević emphasised the pride over the recognition enjoyed by the Croatian soldiers for their demonstrated responsibility and credibility. “During our meetings with the TAAC officials we witnessed to the high regard for the contribution of the Croatian Armed Forces to the mission by the allies and by the local population alike. The visit kicks off the commemorative events of the 25th Anniversary of the Croatian Armed Forces; we are here to declare support to our soliders in the exercise of their mission“, said Minister Buljević.
The 4th HRVCON to Resolute Support Mission engages 103 members, including 22 members of the armed forces of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia, assigned with mentoring the members of the Afghan Army and police. The major component of the 4th HRVCON is located in TAAC North, alongside the members of 19 other countries.