The marking of the 25th anniversary of international recognition of Croatia

Senior state delegations, headed by the Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, laid the wreaths on the Altar of the Homeland at Medvedgrad, on the tomb of the first Croatian President dr. Franjo Tuđman and at the monument “Voice of the Croatian Victims – Wall of Pain“ and at the central cross in the Alley of the Fallen Croatian Defenders from the Homeland War at the Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb.

The mass on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of international recognition of Croatia was served in the Zagreb Cathedral by the Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić. It was attended by the President of the Republic and the Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Božo Petrov, the Prime Minister  Andrej Plenković, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević,the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Tomo Medved, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov, the Military Ordinary Mons. Jure Bogdan and the former Military Ordinary Mons. Juraj Jezerinac.

The Defence Minister Darmir Krstičević stated on the occasion: “That historic day, the Croatian people, led by dr Franjo Tuđman,  has made its major accomplishment and received the recognitions which strengthened our hope and faith in a prosperous country, belonging to all its citizens. We are today commemorating with deep gratitude the defenders who made the hardest sacrifice for a free and sovereign Croatia. They have obliged us to struggle for this beautiful country, to entice the developmental projects and investments, open new workposts and enhance the economy of Croatia. The struggle for ever better and stronger Homeland is never over“.

The 25th anniversary marking programme included a formal concert titled “Moja domovina“ (“My Homeland“) in Ban Jelačić Square in Zagreb under the auspices of the Croatian Government and the City of Zagreb and the formal ceremony and concert in the Concert Hall “Vatroslav Lisinski“ in Zagreb, attended by the top state authorities.
On 15 January 1991 Croatia was recognised as independent by the member countries of the European Community, and on the same day the Federal Republic of Germany also established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Croatia.

“The recognition date – 15 January 1992 – has sealed the fourteen century-long history of the Croatians in the present territory between the rivers Mura, Drava, Dunav and the Adriatic Sea“, said the first Croatian President Franjo Tuđman  in his evening address to the nation.

He told his staff on the occasion: “The task of establishing the internationally recognised Croatia is now concluded. It is now the time to get down to building of the new democratic state“.
[nggallery id=2252]