Academy held in Karlovac ahead of Croatian Armed Forces Day

Across the country commemorations were held ahead of Croatian Armed Forces Day on Saturday. Croatian Armed Forces Day marks the 32nd anniversary of the formation of the Croatian Army and the first public parade of the National Guard Corps at Kranjčevićeva Stadium on May 28th 1991, in Zagreb.

Wreaths and lit candles were laid at Homeland War memorials throughout the county in memory of all the dead, missing and deceased Croatian veterans. Wreaths were also laid at the last resting places of war-time President Franjo Tuđman and Defense Minister Gojko Šušak, and all war-time Chiefs of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia.

The day was also marked with a ceremonial academy at the Croatian Army Command in Karlovac. Around 670 soldiers, officers and non-commissioned officers were decorated, received commendations and promotions by Defense Minister Mario Banožić, who laid out the ten-year plan for the Croatian Armed Forces: "For the coming ten year period will focus on stopping negative trends, including the number of people who enlist in the Croatian Army. We have raised the recompense for voluntarily military service and salaries for people who are in the system. We have scholarships for cadets and assistance programs for advancement through the ranks. The implementation of projects is ongoing, and it is up to us to give even more than we already have."

Also on Friday, three international military exercises were in Croatia, in which 1 000 members of the Croatian Army were joined by some 500 members of the armed forces of allied and partner countries. A presentation of the exercises was held at the "Josip Jović" barracks in Udbina.

"We are strengthening our partnership within the European Union and NATO, especially given the situation in Europe and the Russian aggression against Ukraine. In this way we are proving that as a NATO member we are giving a special contribution to the security of Croatian citizens and Europe as a whole," concluded Minister Banožić after the presentation.

Source: HRT