Milanović: All important decisions should stem from concern for one's own interests

The President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces participated in the celebration of the 34th anniversary of the Croatian Air Force at the "Colonel Marko Živković" barracks in Pleso.

“We are a member of NATO, they are our allies with whom we have certain agreements and certain vows that could be fulfilled in a critical situation. We should do everything so that they never come true and that there is never a need for them. But we can see how strategic allies behave from our example. Our strategic ally sold us 12 aircraft, and then sold the same to our neighbors - who are not members of NATO. They did not ask us when they did it. And then we have to upgrade these systems, and that will cost even more. Is that how an ally behaves? Maybe so, but the fact is that the French Republic took care exclusively of its own interests. Let's remember that and think about it - exclusively about our own interests, we were not asked for our opinion,” said President Zoran Milanović.

Speaking on the topic, the President added that "this is not a criticism of anyone, but simply an incentive to think about how states act, what their motives are and what they are guided by when making decisions".

Stressing that "all our doctrine, thinking and all our important decisions should stem from concern for our own interests", Milanović said that concern for our own interests does not exclude loyalty and decency towards partners.

“There cannot be the same strategy for a country with four million inhabitants and a country with 65 million, a country that produces and a country that buys, a country that pays off a loan and a country that gives it. These are not the same, they are not equal roles at all,” believes Milanović.

“I wish you much luck and skill in managing the systems that are coming to Croatia and those that have already arrived. They are new, complex, demanding, there is a lot of knowledge and technology. And they serve exclusively and primarily for the defense of the Croatian sky, the Croatian land and Croatia as a whole. This is the primary task according to the Croatian Constitution, but also according to common sense and a healthy heart, the primary task of the Croatian Army and the Croatian Air Force,” he told the members of the Croatian Air Force.

He also remembered the four Croatian airmen who died in December 1991 in Otok, and who he said were the starting point of today's Croatian Air Force.

“They lost their lives in their early years as top pilots. The story of these four heroes of the Homeland War is special and unique, it represents the starting point of your growth and advancement from the point where there was nothing from strategic partners - all on their own, all with their own resources. In honor and glory to them, and for us all to think and orient ourselves - happy Croatian Air Force Day and may the skies be clear,” concluded President Milanović.

On the occasion of the celebration of Croatian Air Force Day, the President of the Republic, based on his constitutional and legal powers, issued Decisions on promotions and commendations.

In addition to President Milanović, the Croatian airmen were addressed by the Commander of the Croatian Air Force, Brigadier General Krešimir Ražov, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid.

The President of the Republic was accompanied by the Head of the Presidential Cabinet, Bartol Šimunić, the Presidential Advisor for Defense, Ivica Olujić, the Presidential Advisor for Homeland War Veterans, Marijan Mareković, and the Presidential Aide, Brigadier General Vlado Čulina.

Source: HRT