Addressing a reception after the parade, the head of state said that while celebrating Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the 20th anniversary of Operation Storm, the Croatians also "have regret for every life that was lost in the Homeland War, both Croatian and Serbian."
"We have regret for every defender who perished, disappeared or forsaked his health for our Croatian homeland, we have regret for all the civilian victims and sympathize with all their families."
Grabar-Kitarovic underscored that the 1991-1995 war "was not a war that we wanted but a war that was forced upon us as a result of (Serbian leader Slobodan) Milosevic’s aggressive Greater Serbia policy."
"And that's the only truth,” she stressed.
Grabar-Kitarovic expressed in her speech gratitude to the first Croatian President Franjo Tudjman for his strength, courage and wisdom "to lead us all in this battle, which many did not approve of,"
Addressing the ceremony held on the occasion of Croatia's Victory Day, Parliament Speaker Josip Leko said Operation Storm, the 1995 military and police operation, was a crucial battle for liberation of the country.
"It stopped the war and aggression on Croatian soil and brought long-awaited peace and freedom to our Homeland," he said.
Leko recalled that Operation Storm had been preceded by four years of unsuccessful negotiations during initially "a creeping" aggression which turned into an all-out aggression and occupation of Croatian territory.
"Those four years were years of fear for Croatian citizens. For us, those were years of living in exile and horror of war atrocities and destruction, " Leko said.
"In the end, our determination, persistence and courage won. And the unity of Croatian soldiers and citizens was critical for that victory."
"After the Homeland War, Croatia extended its hand of peace and friendship to everyone, to everyone who saw Croatia as their home. The hand of peace was also offered to those who took part in the aggression and rebellion against the Republic of Croatia, excluding of course those tho committed war crimes," Leko said.
And that is why we need not take heed of who will celebrate Operation Storm together with us. The question whether others will celebrate Operation Storm with us is not a problem but it presents the continuation of rhetorics of the historically defeated policy, contrary to the interest of peace, he noted.
This is not good for the prospects and development of good relations and building stability. Croatia wishes to build bridges of cooperation, stability and peace. This is the policy Croatia permanently pursues, Leko said.