With messages that the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) made an immeasurable contribution to the stabilization of political relations and ending the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 31st anniversary of the HVO was marked.
Numerous dignitaries stayed in Mostar, and a special recognition was awarded to the chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto. In addition to the ceremonial part, the importance of improving the status of soldiers in the ranks of the BiH Armed Forces was also discussed.
After the Dayton Peace Agreement, the HVO was defined as the Croatian component of the Army of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and after the defense reform in 2005, it was transformed into the 1st Infantry Guards Regiment, one of three within the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The anniversary was marked with messages that the HVO was responsible for the stabilization of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As the president of FBIH Lidija Bradara (HDZ BiH) said, without the HVO there would not be today’s BiH, as she stated, no matter what anyone says about it these days, and that we should remember all those who gave their lives for freedom.
“HVO made an immeasurable contribution to the stabilization of political conditions and the end of war conflicts within BiH, for which we are extremely grateful. They were founded as a component of the HVO in order to defend their home, their homeland,” said the chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Borjana Krišto (HDZ BiH).
This year, she was presented with a special award from the HVO, which, it was heard today, is responsible for the survival of the Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The HVO was the cry of the Croatian people for freedom, we only defended our hearths and we succeeded in that. Today, I look at the HVO as love for my people,” said Stanko Sopta, a retired general of the HVO.
At the ceremony, they talked about changes to the law on service, and about the importance of improving the status of soldiers, given that their current income is low. Nevertheless, the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina organize the admission of candidates into their ranks.
“The new Council of Ministers of BiH made several decisions that improved the status of soldiers in the Armed Forces of BiH. The law on service in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been changed, which is positive for our army, the salaries have increased”, stated Deputy Minister of Defense of BiH for Policy and Plans Slaven Galić (HDZ BiH).
This anniversary was also marked in other cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina with festive programs and tributes to fallen veterans.
