Minister of Demography and Immigration Ivan Šipić, at the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm, said that the country's future lies in a greater number of children and families returning from abroad.
At the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the Military-Police Operation Storm in Knin on August 5, 2026, Minister of Demography and Immigration Ivan Šipić emphasized that the greatest challenges facing Croatia today are increasing the number of newborn children and the return of Croats from abroad.
Šipić stressed that this year brings encouraging trends. "This year we are recording positive news for our families and for Croatia, namely a greater increase in the birth rate and a greater return to the homeland. That is what matters to us, that is the future, and we will be eternally grateful to Croatian veterans for their sacrifice and for everything that was achieved in the fight for Croatia," the minister said.
Responding to a question about the number of residents and young people in Knin, Šipić was honest in his assessment that the situation is not satisfactory, although there are positive signals from the southern counties. "We are not the most satisfied. That is our greatest challenge because at that time Croatia was devastated, ruined, and everything that went with it. Today, the real fight for Croatia's future is with numerous children and families. That is the greatest challenge ahead, one that we all face and for which we are all very responsible," he said.
The minister recalled the difficult situation the country was in after the war and emphasized that his ministry's focus is precisely on creating conditions for families to stay and return.
Šipić arrived in Knin accompanied by his older son. He explained that he wants his child to "remember what happened and how," thus passing on the importance of remembering the Homeland War and the sacrifice of veterans to younger generations. The minister reiterated eternal gratitude to Croatian veterans, stressing that it was their struggle that enabled today's fight for a demographic future.
