In a statement to the media, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković expressed his pleasure at attending the ceremonial military parade in Zagreb on the occasion of Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, Day of Croatian Veterans and the 30th anniversary of the military-police operation “Storm”. I am looking forward to everyone being together today and for all our people to see how strong the Croatian state is, and one of the symbols and pillars of the Croatian state is our Armed Forces, our police, civil protection, firefighters, the Croatian National Rescue Service and all others who will be in this formation, he said.
“I am very happy and pleased that we will all be together at this ceremonial military parade today,” said Plenković, especially thanking the Croatian veterans who gave the most for a free and independent Croatian state in the defensive, but also victorious Homeland War.
The Prime Minister said that today everyone would see the new capabilities of the Croatian Army and Police, in which the Government has been investing for almost nine years of its mandate.
He also mentioned the great process of transition from Eastern to Western technology so that Croatia, as a member of the European Union and an ally within NATO, is interoperable and compatible with the capabilities of the armies that are Croatia’s partners and allies.
Defense budget over 1.5 billion euros
He recalled that the defense budget at the beginning of his mandate in 2016 was 530 million euros, and now it is over 1.5 billion euros.
He also highlighted the ambition to allocate 3.5 percent of GDP for defense, in line with the agreement at the NATO summit in The Hague.
Croatia had expressed initial interest in participating in a new European Union instrument, the SAFE mechanism for using a loan of 1.86 billion euros, which, as he said, would help us reach this goal we have set for ourselves over the next 10 years.
Major investments in the army and police
“I look forward to everyone being together today and for our people, whether at home or in the diaspora, to see how strong the Croatian state is. And one of the symbols and pillars of the Croatian state is our Armed Forces, our police, civil protection, firefighters, the Croatian National Rescue Service and all the others who will be in this formation,” said Plenković.
He thanked the Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić, the Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović, the Minister of Croatian Veterans Tomo Medved, the Chief of the General Staff Tihomir Kundid, the Director of the Police Nikola Milina and everyone who is working to ensure that our services are functional and well-equipped.
He stressed that the Government has prioritized the material rights of soldiers and police officers. The Croatian Army has returned to Vukovar, Pula, Ploče, Sinj and Varaždin, he added.
Basic military training a good signal in changed global circumstances
The Prime Minister believes that the introduction of basic military training in changed global security circumstances is also a signal in the right direction. We think, he added, that it is appropriate, reasonable, and ultimately, encouraging.
“Croatia relies on itself and its forces, respects all others, but of course we have significant deterrent capacities within our capabilities, which is the key to all these investments in the Croatian Army,” said Plenković.
Operation “Storm” important for all Croatian people
The Prime Minister also told reporters that Operation Storm is important for everyone who participated in it, but also for all Croatian people.
“Those were turning points, not only because of the establishment of the balance of power, but because of the complete change in the balance of power in Croatia, but also in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Storm shattered the project of a greater Serbia and that is the political message that will remain for decades and for history,” he said.
He also said that numerous international representatives were at the parade, including the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Borjana Krišto.
Military parade through the streets of Zagreb
A ceremonial military parade took place in Zagreb, on Ulica grada Vukovara, on the section from Avenija Marina Držića to Savska cesta.
Members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of the Interior, civil protection, firefighters, mountain rescue service, judicial police, Croatian veterans, historical units and allied forces marched through the streets of Zagreb, with the participation of more than 500 combat and non-combat vehicles.
In addition, a spectacular flight program was held with over 40 aircraft, including the most modern multi-role Rafale combat aircraft.
The Croatian Navy’s parade demonstrated the capabilities of the naval forces through the appearance of various ships and vessels.
People also had the opportunity to see a display of new weapons and modern military equipment, which presented technological progress and the continuous strengthening of the defense capabilities of the Croatian Army.
For the first time, members of the armed forces of partner countries – Albania, the Republic of Lithuania, Hungary, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Republic of Poland, the Portuguese Republic, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Minnesota National Guard from the United States of America, and the Slovak Republic – participated in the ceremonial parade.