Croatian President Zoran Milanović attended the ceremony for the deployment of Croatia’s 42nd contingent to KFOR in Kosovo.
In his speech, Milanović described the mission as an “imposition of peace.”
“It is about preventing conflict and preserving the current situation, imposing peace on those who think otherwise. You are embarking on a mission to maintain and impose peace—not through force, but by demonstrating the potential of force, with the belief that this force will never need to be used,” he stated.
He highlighted that Croatian Armed Forces members are heading to a country recognized by Croatia but not by all NATO members.
“It’s interesting that the mission is organized by NATO, an alliance whose members have not fully recognized that country (Kosovo). This mission is legally based on the United Nations Security Council’s platform and framework. It is a mission grounded in international law, unlike some others, and stems from a Security Council decision years ago, which today is interpreted differently, but it exists,” Milanović said.
He added that Croatia will always participate in such missions and aims to join another mission in the Western Balkans to support peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, though it is not currently involved.
“It’s not imperative for us to be present in every mission, but in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a friend of ours, we want to participate. So far, we haven’t succeeded due to the will or unwillingness of some Brussels bureaucrats. We will change this; it’s a matter of principle,” Milanović emphasized.
He pointed out the inconsistency of Croatia’s exclusion from Bosnia while it participates in Kosovo:
“If we can be in Kosovo, where the Assembly and citizens accept us, then we can also be in the neighboring state. If Turkey and Austria, non-NATO members, can participate, then so can Croatia,” he stated.
The Croatian President wished the departing soldiers happiness, success, safety, and peace:
“You have chosen a job that is always dangerous and uncertain. It is the state’s duty to provide maximum support so that you return wiser, better trained, alive, and healthy,” Milanović concluded.
