Congratulating the police on the successful performance of their duties, Sanader said that police forces had been in the first line of defence in Croatia and had given a significant contribution to the Homeland War, from its beginning to the military and police operations "Flash" and "Storm".
He went on to say that over the past year Croatian police had achieved important results in fighting smuggling, in cooperation with the customs service, as well as in countering corruption.
The government has introduced the automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) and the TETRA program in police work and was purchasing new police vehicles in order to make police as equipped and as efficient as possible, Sanader said. He congratulated the police on "the excellent job" in providing security during the tourist season and on cooperation with other countries' police forces in fighting organised crime and other types of crime.
Minister Kirin thanked the government for its support, adding that Croatian police forces were among the best in this part of Europe in terms of organisation and equipment.