President presents Chief of General Staff with Order of King Petar Krešimir IV
The President of the Republic of Croatia as Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces on 23 February 2016 presented the departing Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Drago Lovrić with the Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir with Sash and Morning Star.
At the ceremony, held in the Office of the President of the Republic General Lovrić was also presented with the Legion of Honour of the French Republic.
President Grabar-Kitarović extended her congratulations to General Lovric on the high Croatian decoration awarded for his outstanding contribution to the war strategy and military doctrine, the development and highly successful command of the Croatian Armed Forces units as well as on the high French decoration.
“During Your term of office as the Chief of Staff the Croatian Armed Forces have developed a significant portion of defence capabilities, individually or in joint operation with NATO. The Croatian Armed Forces have successfully conducted significant command and administrative adjustments.
The President emphasised that the integration of the Croatian Armed Forces was completed within three years only from the moment of accession, thereby confirming their readiness for participation in NATO-led missions and tasks.
The development of military capabilities was not only focussed on the preparation for traditional military tasks; having proved their professionalism, trainedness and commitment in the deployment in the many international peace missions and operations, the Croatian Armed Forces also presented and enhanced the international reputation of the Republic of Croatia.
Such important achievements came as a result of continuous committed efforts by the Croatian Armed Forces led by General Lovrić”.
General Lovrić expressed his appreciation for the decorations received and emphasised that the Grand Order of King Petar Kresimir IV with Sash and Morning Star symbollised recognition for the exemplary and committed service and was a crowning accomplishment of his career, which had presented a number of challenges. General Lovrić declared he would proudly wear the decoration as it was awarded for the contribution and merits in the development of the Croatian military. He concluded his address by appreciating the admirals and generals of the Croatian Armed Forces for the hard work for their benefit.
The National Order of the Legion of Honour was presented to General Lovrić by the Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Michele Boccoz, pursuant to the Decision by President Francois Hollande of 5 January 2016. The Legion of Honour is France’s highest distintion and one of the world’s most renowned decorations, conferred to meriting senior officials who uphold the ideals of the French Republic. General Lovrić received the class “Commander” in recognition for his exceptional contribution to the strengthening peace and stability in Europe and towards enhanced security of Croatia and France within NATO and the EU framework.