President Milanović at Military Drill in Slunj: You are first of all Croatian Army and you defend the Croatian state

The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović attended a military drill called “UDAR 21” (STRIKE 21) at the “Eugen Kvaternik” military training area in Slunj. The “UDAR 21” military drill is being held from 11 to 22 October 2021 at the “Eugen Kvaternik” military training area in Slunj, at the “Gašinci” barracks in Gašinci, and at the “Pukovnik Predrag Matanović” barracks in Petrinja to evaluate forces for participation in NATO missions, operations and initiatives in keeping with assumed capability goals.

After the military drill presentation, President Milanović called it impressive and said the soldiers put their all into the drill. The state and the politics democratically elected by the Croatian political nation are expected to ensure material conditions for the army. “What the priorities will be, how much money will be set aside and to what end, what is most important – democratic politics has an important role in that. I expect and see understanding for it, there are resources,” President Milanović said.

He further told the participants of the military drill: “You are first of all the Croatian Army, you defend the Croatian state, Croatian sovereignty, the territorial integrity and the Croatian borders, although you are not formally the guardians of the border nor should be”. Speaking of Croatia’s role as a NATO member, President Milanović noted a lot has changed in international relations, with new partnerships, new conflicts and new aspirations being created.

“Our strategic position is relatively comfortable at the moment, our interest is, first of all, our interest. You are, first of all, the Croatian Army and then, of course, an army within NATO, without a hidden agenda, fairly, openly. But, I repeat, first of all the Croatian Army. This is the Homeland, you defend it”, President Milanović said in concluding his address to the participants of the military drill “UDAR 21”.

Also attending the military drill in Slunj was Defense Minister Mario Banožić, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj and the Deputy Commander of the Croatian Army Tihomir Kundid.

Alongside President Milanović was the Head of the Cabinet of the President Bartol Šimunić, the Adviser to the President for Defense and National Security Dragan Lozančić, the Adviser to the President for Foreign and European Policy Neven Pelicarić, and the Special Adviser to the President for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia/ Filip Glas and Marko Beljan