Honours for Excellence Awarded to 11 on Statehood Day

At a ceremony held on the occasion of Statehood Day, that took place last night at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, President Ivo Josipović has awarded honours to 11 individuals, companies and organizations for outstanding service and contributions….

In the presence of high-ranking state officials, foreign ambassadors in Croatia, representatives of economic, scientific, cultural and sporting organisations, and heads of religious communities, Josipović congratulated all Croatians on Statehood Day, and pointed with pride when remembering the parliamentary decision on Croatia’s independence and sovereignty more than 23 years ago. He reminded that Croatia had to travel a hard path to achieve freedom through the homeland war and become recognised and respected as an equal member of international institutions.

Medals were awarded to Croatian army’s Ivan Gagić, musical duo 2Cellos, businessman Ante Mandić, biologist Iva Tolić, innovator Mate Rimac, athlete Ivan Mikulić, farmer Martina Petrović, art historian Vera Horvat Pintarić, DNA laboratory Genos (Osijek), metal crafts “Josip Pleško” (Zabok) and humanitarian association MoST from Split.

In his speech, Josipović remembered all those soldiers and civilians who gave their lives and health for the country.

“Croatia is a country of European values​​, which possesses the world’s best individual athletes, business people and scientists,” he said, but also warned that there is another Croatia, ‘the land of the unemployed and hungry, which through the difficult crisis, mismanagement and stealing, has been taken it to the edge of existence’.(pic: Facebook)