Zagreb - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković called for unity in the speeches they delivered at the central ceremony celebrating Victory Day in Knin on Saturday when Croatian observed the 22nd anniversary of Operation Storm.
"Apart from the victory we also celebrate our unity which was a prerequisite for our victory and freedom," PM Plenković said. He recalled that during the crucial 1990s when it strove for democracy and independence, Croatia was exposed to a Greater Serbian aggression, while a part of the Croatian territory was occupied. He paid tribute to all soldiers and civilians fallen in the war.
Sabor Speaker Jandroković spoke of the historical importance of Operation Storm. -Today, Croatia as a free country is faced with markedly changed circumstances and called for establishing a homeland security system ready to deal with all threats, he added. The Parliament Speaker called on the Croatians to show unity "regardless of our differences and different political views".
Apart from Knin, other towns liberated during the 84-hour-long 1995 Operation Storm prepared programmes marking the 22nd anniversary of the operation that crushed the Serb rebellion. Victory Day is a public holiday, and towns and cities throughout Croatia mark this holiday with wreath-laying ceremonies, religious services for the dead and other commemorative events as well as concerts and other entertainment events. (Hina)