President Milanović Meets with Members of Croatian Officers’ Corps
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović held a working meeting with members of the Croatian Officers’ Corps [Hrvatski časnički zbor], a union of associations consisting of reserve and retired officers and NCOs of the Croatian Army.
Established in 1991 and celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Croatian Officers’ Corps is the oldest union of associations in Croatia bringing together Croatian defenders. The Croatian Officers’ Corps connects some 7,000 reserve and retired officers and NCOs of the Croatian Army and operates on a volunteer, expert and non-partisan basis. Corps President Retired Colonel Branko Gačak explained to President Milanović that participation in the Homeland War and the promotion of Homeland War values is what the union has in common with other veterans’ associations, but what distinguishes the Croatian Officers’ Corps from others is that it operates as an expert association, which does not participate in political, ideological and similar debates but rather focuses on building military, defense and security expertise.
It was emphasized at the meeting that members of the Croatian Officers’ Corps have the expertise stemming from their specialization in the field of defense and can therefore assist public authorities in drafting laws and strategies and in planning projects. Moreover, the Croatian Officers’ Corps has established international cooperation among experts. The President of the Republic extended his support to the Croatian Officers’ Corps activities in this regard.
The Croatian Officers’ Corps delegation included President Retired Colonel Branko Gačak, Vice Presidents Retired Lieutenant General Mate Ostović and Retired Captain Igor Majetić, Secretary General Retired Colonel Neven Cugelj, President of the Court of Honour Reserve Major Dražen Magdić, Supervisory Board member Captain Edvard Bogović, Information Commission member Retired Colonel Stanislav Linić and Business Secretary Retired Major Mladen Lalić.
Participating in the meeting with the members of the Croatian Officers’ Corps alongside President Milanović were Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković and Head of the Military Office in the Cabinet for Defense and National Security of the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia Colonel Ivica Kranjčević.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić