The 20^th anniversary of the War College of the Croatian Defence Academy was marked formally in the hall of the Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” on  27 June 2018. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and  Defence Minister Damir Krstičević, the Defence and National Security Advisor to the President and her Envoy at the ceremony Vlado Galić, by the Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov, by the Assistant  Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Amir Muharemi, by the Director of the National Protection and Rescue Directorate Dragan Lozančić, by the Deputy  General Police Director. Željko Prša, the delegations of the Office of the President, of the ministries and of of the Croatian Armed Forces, and the former students and the staff of the College.

On the occasion of its  20^th anniversary, the War College was bestowed the Order of the Vice-roy Jelačić, and the commanders received the College’s flag. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević underlined the important role of the War College in the education of the Croatian officers. military personnel. “The War College  had from the first days presented itself as an institution providing deep knowledge and capabilities for the officers of the Croatian Army  and foreign officers . The lecturers and the generations of fellows have given an important contribution to the knowledge, to the strategic planning and decision-making processes at the strategic level, and, most importantly, to the teamwork.”The Minister called on to the fellows to continue guarding the values which make the foundation of the Croatian Armed Forces. “Always strive  for  excellence, just as the preceding generations did. Never tire of serving the homeland, and take  the daily opportunities to prove yourselves and to make progress“.

THe Envoy of the President of the Republic Vlado Galić said the Croatian Armed Forces without the investments into  life-long learning, training and practice would not be capable of fulfill the tasks and objectives assigned; The ceremony programme featured the reading of the history of the War College and the film “War College – from the establishment to date“, reminding of the key moments of the 20-year existence of the College, and the Orchestra of the Croatian Armed Forces perfromed reveille songs .  The War College“ Ban Josip Jelačić“ was established  pursuant to the decision of President  Franjo Tudjman  of 25 June  1998,as a top-level  national military education institutiuon, first commanded by Lieutenant General Franjo Feldi. The War College  provides education for senior officers of the Croatian Armed Forces  and prepares them for the  most responsible command and duties. It has been attended by  275 fellows (six females) to date, of which 231 were national and 44 foreign fellows. The College  regularly takes part in exchanges of  fellows and lecturers with NATO and the EU nations.