President Milanović at Send-Off Ceremony for Troops in NATO-led KFOR Mission: You are, above all, the Croatian Army and your duty is the defense of the homeland

The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović attended a send-off ceremony for the 36^th contingent of Croatian troops (HRVCON) participating in the NATO-led KFOR mission in the Republic of Kosovo.

As part of the mission, 130 members of the Croatian Armed Forces, including six women, are being deployed. At the send-off ceremony held in the 132^nd Croatian Army Brigade Barracks    in Našice, President Milanović told the troops that they are Croatian soldiers who will be on duty in a country that Croatia is close to and which it has recognized. “But not everyone has recognized it. It’s delicate, but not dangerous, I believe. Some will welcome you there as best friends, others won’t,” President Milanović said in his address at the ceremony.

“Behave properly, show what you know, what you have learned. You are not beginners. I believe that many of you have found yourselves in this situation for the umpteenth time, while for some it’s their first time. Help each other and always think about the fact – regardless of NATO membership, that we are a Western democracy, a member of the European Union and part of an alliance of countries that share many common values – that you are above all the Croatian Army. And that this Army must always maintain its integrity, uniqueness and awareness that its purpose is above all to serve the homeland. We will not allow ourselves to be one drop of wine in that big barrel of water, to lose our identity, our true selves and awareness of what our duty is – and your duty is the defense of the Croatian homeland,” concluded President Milanović.

The Croatian Armed Forces have been participating in the NATO-led KFOR mission in the Republic of Kosovo since July 2009, with the possibility of participation for 40 soldiers and two helicopters with crew, including the possibility of rotation. The 35^th Croatian contingent is currently taking part in the mission. Following the decision of the Croatian Parliament from the 27^th of November 2020, Croatia increased its engagement in the KFOR mission from the current 40 to 150 troops. As part of the 35^th contingent and on top of the previously deployed troops, an infantry company was deployed with which Croatia, as a full NATO member, continues to make a credible and continuous contribution to the stability and preservation of peace in Southeast Europe. The primary tasks of members of the Croatian Armed Forces in the NATO-led KFOR mission are to prevent the resumption of hostilities, build a secure environment, provide support to international humanitarian efforts, ensure the implementation of agreements and support the development of Kosovo security forces. 

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan