ZAGREB, Jan 12 (Hina) - Croatia's President and Armed Forces Supreme Commander, Stjepan Mesic, on Monday received
ZAGREB, Jan 12 (Hina) - Croatia's President and Armed Forces Supreme
Commander, Stjepan Mesic, on Monday received #L#
Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Josip Lucic, who informed him of
his recent visit to the United States where he had been presented with
a high military award.
Lucic was awarded the Legion of Merit by US President George W. Bush
in recognition of the successful implementation of reforms in the
Croatian military on its path to NATO, the contribution to the fight
against global terrorism, particularly in Afghanistan, and
constructive relations between the Croatian and US armed forces. He
was presented with the award by Richard Myers, the chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces.
After the meeting with Mesic, Lucic told reporters that they had
discussed possibilities of further cooperation between the Croatian
and US armed forces.
Reform processes in the Croatian armed forces have contributed to
regional stability as one of the preconditions to be met by all
countries that have shown interest in joining NATO and preserving
global security, he said.
Lucic said that his talks with the president also focused on the
structure of the future Coast Guard and the American experience in
this field. The Croatian Navy is interested in participating in the
organisation of the Coast Guard because it has the necessary
infrastructure, the general said.
(Hina) vm sb