Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković declared yesterday in Knin that Operation “Oluja” (Storm) in August 1995 destroyed the project of a “Greater Serbia” and changed the military and geopolitical order of Southeast Europe.
A Message to Belgrade
Plenković stated that Operation “Oluja” not only liberated Croatia but also “prevented a new tragedy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” He added that it paved the way for the return of expelled Croats to their homes and the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube region. He also noted that after the war, Croatia enabled the return of Croatian Serbs who wished to come back, which he said demonstrated political maturity and moral responsibility.
Plenković paid tribute to those who gave their lives for Croatia’s freedom, emphasizing that their sacrifice was a “pledge of gratitude.” He also remembered those still searching for the 1,744 missing persons.
“We expect Belgrade to finally show a true readiness to cooperate, because without the full truth about the missing, there can be neither honest relations nor a European future,” Plenković said, sending a clear message to Serbia.
Looking to the Future
Looking forward, the Croatian Prime Minister said that peace is not won once, but must be preserved day by day. He highlighted that in a world “on fire again,” from Ukraine to the Middle East, security requires constant vigilance. He also mentioned last week’s military parade in Zagreb, which he said demonstrated that the Croatian Army is now a powerful, well-equipped, and highly trained regional force.
“August 5 is not just an anniversary – it is a day of Croatian conscience, a pledge to our homeland that we will always defend it, a pledge to our defenders that we will never forget them… It is a day of our pride, unity, and strength,” Plenković concluded.
