President Milanović at Croatian Armed Forces Day reception: Without people, without soldiers, there is no army
“Today at the ceremony in the Ministry of Defence we talked about the state and the challenges in the defence system, the status and the capabilities of the Croatian Army. We said many things but I think that we should stop there and start tackling problems and challenges. There are good things, but there are also challenging situations that primarily concern people because without people and without soldiers there is no army the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces stated at a reception held on the occasion of Croatian Armed Forces Day, Croatian Army Day and the 33rd anniversary of the formation of the Croatian Army.
In his speech President Milanović said that solutions are not simple and require a national agreement. “Someone can call this community, I call it agreement, sharing responsibility and taking a stand on important issues such as military service, recruiting, and the fact that the average age of Croatian Army reservists is 45+ years and that the last generation that served in the army was in 2008”, he said and once again underlined that “without people there is no army”.
President Milanović concurred that the army needs financial resources, but it should be seen what can be done. “We are part of a defence alliance and a community in which we help each other out and in the case of a major crisis, we stand by each other. However, we must first of all consider our needs, our country and our Homeland because the defence of Croatia and its territorial integrity is most important. We can spread peace, goodwill and democracy in the world, but Croatia’s interests take priority”, he indicated.
On the basis of his constitutional and legal powers, the President of the Republic and Commander in chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović issued a Decision on Decorations, Promotions and Commendations, and presented a total of ten decorations on the occasion of Croatian Armed Forces Day, Croatian Army Day and the 33rd anniversary of the formation of the Croatian Army.
For outstanding service to the Republic of Croatia in a state of war and under special circumstances in peace, the Order of the Croatian Trefoil is bestowed upon Captain (N) Šime Maras, Commander (N) Krunoslav Kralj and to retired Lieutenant Colonel Davorin Horvat.
For outstanding contribution to the development and standing of the Republic of Croatia and the well-being of its citizens, the Order of the Croatian Interlace is bestowed upon Lieutenant Colonel Branislav Marić and retired Sergeant Major Mario Colić.
For honourable and exemplary service, the Homeland Gratitude Memorial Medal is bestowed upon Lieutenant Colonel Danijel Knaus, Lieutenant Colonel Melita Komušar, Lieutenant Colonel Besim Smajilović and Sergeant First Class Krešimir Kaštelan.
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces promoted a total of 105 active duty officers and two active duty military specialists. Ten lieutenant colonels are promoted to the rank of colonel (including three women) and two commanders (N) are promoted to the rank of captain (N). At the reception in the Office of the President, the following accepted their promotions: Marina Svrze, Eniz Jakšić, Abdulah Selimović, Robert Ribarić, Ivan Zečević Tadić, Žarko Divić, Ivan Kotromanović, Davorka Perić, Mate Jukić and Asja Madunić.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Ribarić gave a thank you speech on behalf of the decorated and promoted officers. He thanked all those who recognized the work, the efforts and the contribution invested in the specialization and development of the units, and in the Armed Forces as a whole. Moreover, he noted that this event is a special incentive to all members of the Armed Forces for further professional development, specialization, gaining new knowledge and skills.
Attending the reception in the Office of the President were the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, the Director of the General Staff of the CAF Major General Krešo Tuškan, the Commander of the Croatian Air Force Major General Michael Križanec, the Commander of the Support Command Lieutenant General Mladen Fuzul, the Chief of Staff-Deputy Commander of the Croatian Army Brigadier General Valentin Skroza, the Director of the Security and Intelligence Agency Daniel Markić, the Director of the Office of the National Security Council Valentino Franjić, the Commander of the Croatian Navy Commodore Damir Dojkić, Fire Chief Slavko Tucaković, and many other guests.
Alongside President Milanović were the Head of the Office of the President of the Republic Orsat Miljenić, the Adviser to the President for Defence Ivica Olujić, the Adviser to the President for National Security Dragan Lozančić, the Adviser to the President for Foreign and European Policy Neven Pelicarić, the Adviser to the President for Human Rights and Civil Society Melita Mulić, the Adviser to the President for Education Jadranka Žarković, the Special Adviser to the President for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković, the Special Adviser to the President for Culture Zdravko Zima, the Assistant Adviser to the President for the Economy Martina Ciglević, the Head of the Military Office in the Cabinet for Defence and National Security Brigadier General Ivica Kranjčević, the staff officer for Operational Support in the Military Office of the Cabinet for Defence and National Security Lieutenant Colonel Siniša Marić, and the staff NCO for IT in the Military Office of the Cabinet for Defence and National Security Sergeant Major Hrvoje Krajačić.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas, Marko Beljan