President Milanović: We condemn the aggression against Ukraine, we will be loyal to our NATO allies
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović once again condemned today the Russian aggression against Ukraine and confirmed that the Republic of Croatia will be loyal to its allies in NATO, whose member it is.
“The war and the aggression against Ukraine must be condemned, and we condemn it. This is a war that is not on our borders, but one that is nearby. Our role as allies, as allies in NATO, is to be loyal to our allies. At this time to do what is possible on the humanitarian, human and diplomatic side. And to be aware that we are a Western country, of Western culture and civilization. And this is the reason we are in NATO. It’s not by accident that we are in NATO”, President Milanović stated in his address at the ceremony marking the 28th anniversary of the formation of the Honorary and Protection Battalion held in the Office of the President of the Republic.
He told the members of the Honorary and Protection Battalion to sport their red berets proudly and responsibly. “I wish you to perfect yourselves as soldiers, to work on yourselves, to carry out the tasks in your dangerous and unique work, and at the same time that your task primarily be Croatian security, Croatian integrity, Croatian peace and stability, Croatian borders. This is always your first and foremost task and it will remain such”, the President of the Republic noted.
For exceptional and successful command of the Croatian Armed Forces units and for outstanding service in their formation, retired Colonel Elvis Burčul is awarded the Order of Ban Jelačić and the Homeland Gratitude Memorial Medal for 30 years of honourable and exemplary service.
Also awarded the Homeland Gratitude Memorial Medal for thirty years of honourable and exemplary service are members of the Honorary and Protection Battalion: Ivan Petrović, Damir Čempuh, Joso Kardum, Željko Luketić, Tihomir Anđal, Ivan Čretni, Zoran Jozić, Cvetko Kolak and Željko Vučković.
On the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the formation of the Honorary and Protection Battalion, decorations and commendations were presented to the following: Mišo Jurišić, Anel Begić, Rev. Zdravko Barić, Marko Barić, Rene Gadža, Zlatko Alić, Saša Vukmanović, Dominik Jakić, Goran Šebalj and David Zubčić.
“You have greatly honoured us with your trust and these stimulative incentives, and the members of the unit reciprocate by carrying out their tasks and their mission with loyalty and professionalism. Loyalty is a result of leadership, and leadership is a measure of competence. This unit is destined for people who display a strong character, who go through life with a clear idea of what they want to achieve in life. The uniform we wear does not just represent honour and pride, it is our life, our pride and our fate”, retired colonel Elvis Burčul stated on behalf of the decorated, commended and recognized members of the Honorary and Protection Battalion.
Alongside President Milanović at the ceremony in the Office of the President were the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj, Head of the Cabinet of the President Bartol Šimunić, Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defense and National Security Dragan Lozančić, Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Siniša Jurković, Commander of the Croatian Air Force Michael Križanec, and Head of the Logistics Directorate of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Milan Žunić.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas, Marko Beljan