Zagreb - Sabor Speaker Gordan Jandroković said on Tuesday that the victory in the 1995 Operation Storm is one of the most glorious episodes in Croatian history, and that Croatia must permanently remember this victory and base its future on the values of freedom, democracy, and dignity.
"To all of you, to all Croatian citizens, to all Croats in the homeland and around the world, I extend heartfelt congratulations on Victory Day, Homeland Thanksgiving Day, and Croatian Veterans Day,” Jandroković said at the central ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of Operation Storm in Knin.
He emphasised that every anniversary of Operation Storm must begin with sincere and lasting gratitude to Croatian defenders and their families, with special respect for the families of the fallen and the missing.
"Without their sacrifice, and without political leadership that rose to the historic moment, who knows what kind of life we would have today, because the Greater Serbian aggressor had other plans for us," Jandroković said.
He said Storm was a strategically and tactically well-planned operation, executed at the optimal moment, which marked the end of the war and the liberation of Croatian territory.
"Croatian defenders at that time stepped forward decisively and courageously to drive the enemy out of Croatia. And, as the song goes: What is defended with blood is not easily given up," he emphasized.
He added that the responsibility of preserving the memory of the Homeland War must be passed on to younger generations, who respect our faith, church, tradition, family, and homeland.
"That is why these endless rivers of young people oblige us to firmly oppose every attempt at labeling or imposing guilt and shame," the Parliament Speaker said.
Jandroković highlighted that the victory in Operation Storm laid the foundations for peace, democracy, and the development of the present-day Croatian state.
"Our task is to protect our fundamental values: freedom, peace, democracy, legal security, and social sensitivity. Today, Croatia knows what its future looks like: stronger, more resilient, and open to all," he said.
He called on Croatian war veterans to continue, together with the youth, being the force that builds a Croatia of which future generations will be proud.