ZAGREB, May 28 (Hina) - Croatia's President and Armed Forces' Supreme Commander Stjepan Mesic on Wednesday conferred higher ranks to officers of the defence ministry and armed forces at a ceremony in Zagreb on the occasion of Armed
Forces' Day, May 28.
ZAGREB, May 28 (Hina) - Croatia's President and Armed Forces'
Supreme Commander Stjepan Mesic on Wednesday conferred higher
ranks to officers of the defence ministry and armed forces at a
ceremony in Zagreb on the occasion of Armed Forces' Day, May 28.
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At the ceremony held in the army's centre, called Zvonimir,
decisions on the promotion of 591 officers were read out.
During this event, President Stjepan Mesic said Croatia had an
enviable armed force but it should be reorganised so as to become
compatible with NATO standards.
"With its admission into NATO, Croatia will ensure greater
security, but it will also bring into the alliance its knowledge,
capability and potentials, war experience and tradition," he
said.
Commenting on the current situation in the country, the head of
state said that when there was mention of Croatia's high
indebtedness one should take into account that the debts incurred
in order to help the development of infrastructure as a pre-
condition for overall progress.
"It is not easy for us, but an inflation rate is only two percent and
we have a 5.2-percent growth rate and the income of 5,000 dollars
per capita annually. We are on the right track towards the
accomplishment of our goals, i.e. the entry into the EU and NATO,"
Mesic said.
He added he was confident that it was realistic to expect Croatia's
admission into the EU in 2007 which he described as the country's
millennial objective.
Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic voiced satisfaction with the
ongoing reorganisation of the armed forces and said that "it is not
easy (course), but is being conducted step by step".
The army's chief-of-staff, Lieutenant General Josip Lucic, spoke
about the history of the establishment of the Croatian army and said
that Croatia's aim was to create "a small, mobile and well-equipped
army that will be able to fulfil its constitutional obligations and
ensure peace and security of the state."
The Day of the Croatian Army was marked by many events at the sports
centre of Jarun in Zagreb. They included exhibitions of hand-made
weapons and armoured vehicles used in the Homeland Defence War. The
military police carried out an exercise, and the audience could see
a flight programme by MIG-21 fighter planes.