Croatia is strongest when united; let us do everything we can to ensure it remains that way in a world undergoing dramatic and unpredictable change
On the eve of the military parade in Zagreb, which will ceremonially mark the 30th anniversary of the military and police Operation Storm, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović issued a statement, which we publish in full:
“This year, we will mark the 30th anniversary of the military and police Operation Storm with a ceremonial military parade in Zagreb. As is fitting for the commemoration of a great victory that secured Croatia’s liberation, the military parade will showcase the readiness and capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces — a force that was, is, and will remain the guarantor of the defense and security of the Croatian state: its people, its borders, and its sovereignty.
The military parade honouring Operation Storm will also serve as a reminder of another equally important fact we must never forget: Croatia was defended in 1991 and liberated in 1995 thanks solely to the unity and solidarity of the Croatian people! Never before had Croats been so united in their determination to create, defend, and liberate their country. The leaders of the Homeland War — first among them, Dr. Franjo Tuđman — understood the lessons of Croatia’s long history. They knew that the Croatian people, only through their own strength and unity, could create and preserve an independent Croatian state.
At that time, the threat to Croatia did not come only from armed enemies; there were many opponents seated at negotiating tables, both in 1991 and in 1995, while friends were few. Still, the Croatian people stood firm — united in their desire to defend and liberate their Homeland and to live in a free, sovereign, and democratic Croatia. The differences among us, which are present in every nation, became an anchor that held us together in the defense and liberation of Croatia — not a dividing line that had always only weakened Croatia and stood in its way of achieving the right to statehood.
At the military parade on the 31st of July, Croatian soldiers will march alongside their NCOs and officers, joined by members of the Croatian police, fire brigades, civil protection, and historical units from across the country. Veterans of the Homeland War will present the Croatian tricolour to the cadets of the Armed Forces. Together, they will demonstrate that Croatia is at its strongest when it stands united! Let us do everything we can to ensure Croatia remains that way beyond the parade marking the 30th anniversary of Operation Storm — because in a world that is changing dramatically and unpredictably, it is once again up to us alone to care about Croatia.”