On the occasion of the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm, ministers highlighted the achievement of all foreign policy goals and announced a flyover of three Rafales.
Ahead of the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the military-police operation Storm, ministers in the Croatian government assessed that Croatia is today a free, independent, and successful state. They emphasized that all foreign policy goals set by the first Croatian president, Franjo Tuđman, have been achieved.
Defense Minister Ivan Anušić noted that impressions are mixed, but that "certainly feelings of pride and happiness prevail that we, when few gave us a chance in 1991, managed to close the entire war story in 1995, win the war, and today have a free, independent Croatian state."
He reminded that Croatia is today a member of all Euro-Atlantic integrations it aspired to in 1990 and that we succeeded in what generations dreamed of. "Today we have it for 36 years, 31 years have passed since the largest and most successful military operation ever, not only in Croatia but elsewhere. Glory and honor to all those who are not with us today, who lost their lives fighting for the Croatian state. Today we are here primarily because of them to pay tribute and remember them, but also to see our comrades who have gathered here today. In any case, we are proud," Anušić emphasized.
The Defense Minister confirmed the army's readiness for the anniversary commemoration and announced that three Rafales will fly over during the minute of silence. One of them will then return and demonstrate the operational capabilities of both the pilots and the aircraft itself.
He also commented on recent tensions between the Government and the President of the Republic regarding the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Tihomir Kundid, saying that everything is fine. He stressed that today is a day of celebration and that it should be marked the way Croats know how, with unity and with the goal of a stronger and more robust Croatia in the future.
Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman emphasized that everything Franjo Tuđman set as a goal has been achieved, Croatia is within the European Union, NATO, and a country that has fulfilled all its foreign policy ambitions. The only thing left is OECD membership, but the country is on the right track there as well, as all required criteria have been met.
Grlić Radman added that Croatia can share its experiences and knowledge with neighboring Western Balkan countries because the stability of this region is in its interest.
