In attendance were representatives of the military and civilian authorities, military Chief of Staff General Josip Lucic as an envoy of the Armed Forces Supreme Commander -- President Stjepan Mesic, and Defence Minister Berislav Roncevic.
General Lucic recalled the Navy's contribution to the defence and creation of independent Croatia, saying that the Navy, as well as the other segments of the military, should adapt to new challenges and threats on the global scale, including the ability to use contemporary technologies and sophisticated military equipment.
"Our political and military goal is to join NATO and this military alliance demands a professional, trained, healthy and maximally motivated soldier," Lucic said, adding that the aspiration to join NATO and the European Union directed Croatia to participate in world peace missions. He recalled that strategic partners in NATO had already commended the performance of Croatian troops abroad.
Speaking of the need to professionalise and downsize the military by 2010, Defence Minister Roncevic said the Navy would be modernised so as to be able to take over the tasks expected of it in the contemporary environment, such as the establishment of a coast guard.
"This is not just about the protection of Croatian interests in the Adriatic, but also about participation in operations against organised crime, trafficking in people, drugs, arms and means of mass destruction," he said, adding the Navy must continue to guarantee the security of all Croatian citizens.
General Lucic handed awards and decorations bestowed by the supreme commander to the Croatian Navy fleet and officers.
Croatian Navy Day and the 15th anniversary of the North Adriatic Military Naval Sector was also marked in the northern Adriatic port of Pula.