President and Armed Forces Supreme Commander Stjepan Mesic said the Croatian Air Force, which had been created in times of war, was now characterised by a high level of readiness, training and professionalism.
Now we are integrating with Euro-Atlantic institutions, and achieving their standards is in the interest of Croatia and its citizens as well as modern armed forces, Mesic said, adding that although the military reform was proceeding well, there was no reason why it could not be stepped up.
We can be satisfied with what we have done, but everything has to be done so that we could fully meet NATO standards, Mesic said, adding that the main part of the job had been done and that now it remained to introduce a professional army.
Asked by the press why the names of promoted officers had not been read out at today's ceremony, Mesic said "we have surplus people with ranks, but this will be settled next year". He added the media would receive the names today.
Answering a question from the press, the president said a study was being drawn up on the purchase of new fighter jets, that the type had not been chosen yet and that presently there was no money to buy them.
Most of the money comes from the budget and this is limiting, but the rest of the funds will come through leasing large complexes which the army no longer needs, said Mesic.
He said Croatia planned to buy an aircraft squadron which fit its requirements and announced that the Air Force would get 10 new multipurpose helicopters which met NATO standards.
Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks recalled the courage, determination and professionalism of Air Force personnel and their contribution to the 1995 war operations Flash and Storm, as well as their humanitarian tasks today, such as search and rescue operations and firefighting.
Seks said parliament fully supported the development of the Armed Forces on the threshold of NATO accession. Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polancec said the government too was committed to that goal.
Chief Of Staff General Josip Lucic and Air Force Commander Major General Viktor Koprivnjak also gave speeches.