REPUBLIC OF CROATIA "Our lovely Croatia" Ladies and gentleman, I am LTC Miroslav Komar from General Staff, Croatian Armed Forces, and it is my honour to tell you a few words about my country and the Croatian Armed Forces. "Our lovely Croatia"

CONTENTS Croatian Facts and Figures President and Government Brief History about Croatia Economy and Tourism Capital City of Zagreb Ministry of Defence MOD Organisational Chart Croatian Armed Forces Other Facts of Interest Useful Links Its neighboring countries are Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Italy is just across the Adriatic Sea. Climate is partially Mediterranean and partially continental. Three main geographical parts are Pannonian Plain, the highlands and the coastline. Let’s start with the capital city. 2

Official Croatian Flag FACTS AND FIGURES Official Croatian Flag Area: 87,661 sq km 1,185 islands and reefs Official language: Croatian (Latin script) Population: 4.5 million Nationalities: Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (2001 census) Neighbouring countries: Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro Climate: a diversity of mainly Continental, Mediterranean along the Adriatic Coast and immediate hinterland with a Mountainous climate at higher altitudes South Eastern Europe Eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea Central European and Mediterranean country Its neighboring countries are Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Italy is just across the Adriatic Sea. Climate is partially Mediterranean and partially continental. Three main geographical parts are Pannonian Plain, the highlands and the coastline. Let’s start with the capital city. 3

THE PRESIDENT AND THE GOVERNMENT Elected in direct elections for a term of five years (no more than two terms) Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Last elections held in January 2010 President of the Republic of Croatia Mr Ivo Josipović Government: Unicameral assembly of 153 members (100-160) Parliamentary elections held every four years - Last elections held in December 2011 The Government consists of: Prime Minister, First Deputy Prime Minister and three Deputies Twenty Ministers Croatia has parliamentary democratic system. Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces is the President. Prime Minister Mr Zoran Milanović 4

BRIEF HISTORY Croatia’s history dates back to 625 AD The traditional heritage moved from a Middle Age Dukedom (791-924) to a Kingdom (925-1102), through to unions with Austria & Hungary (until 1918), and in federations with Yugoslavia, to its current sovereign and independent state as a unitary democratic parliamentary Republic Croatian Parliament declared Independence and Sovereignty of Croatia in June 1991 Croatian War of Independence 1991–1995 International recognition of Croatia in 1992 UN member since May 1992 NATO member since April 2009 To become 28th EU member in 2013

ECONOMY AND TOURISM Industries: tourism, chemicals, plastics, metal, iron, aluminium, steel, wood, paper, electronics, machine tools, petroleum/refining, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, food and beverages Agriculture products: wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, barley, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, soybeans, potatoes, livestock, dairy products Exports: transport equip., machinery, textiles, chemicals, food & beverages, fuels GDP per capita (2011 est.) – $ 18,300 GDP growth (2011 est.) – 0.8% Inflation rate (2011 est.) – 3.2% Croatia is a tourist gem all year round not limited to its prime destination, the Adriatic Coast but also the hinterland and inland which are as rich in attractions and activities… from coves and islands, outdoors and sporting activities, gastronomical delights, vineyards, thermal springs and spas, cultural and historical sites and events… Its neighboring countries are Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Italy is just across the Adriatic Sea. Climate is partially Mediterranean and partially continental. Three main geographical parts are Pannonian Plain, the highlands and the coastline. Let’s start with the capital city. 6

ZAGREB – THE CAPITAL CITY Facts of interest: 1094 – Diocese of Kaptol founded 1242 – Zagreb, then Gradec, became a free and royal city 1557 – Croatian Parliament first convened at Gradec in representation of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia; first written record of being the capital of Croatia 1669 – considered the founding year of Zagreb University As the largest city in the country, metro area spanning 3,719 km2, Zagreb is the administrative, financial, industrial, cultural, scientific and transport hub of the country, with almost 800,000 inhabitants Its neighboring countries are Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Italy is just across the Adriatic Sea. Climate is partially Mediterranean and partially continental. Three main geographical parts are Pannonian Plain, the highlands and the coastline. Let’s start with the capital city. 7

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Minister of Defence assisted by: One Deputy Minister Four Assistant Ministers – each responsible for one of the four main directorates Minister Mr Ante Kotromanović Croatia joined NATO’s PfP–MAP in May 2002 Croatia became a NATO member in April 2009, together with Albania Almost 500 CAF members are currently serving in several UN, NATO and EU-led peace operations abroad 8

MOD ORGANISATIONAL CHART MINISTER OF DEFENCE INDEPENDENT SECTOR FOR PUBLIC ACQUISITIONS INSPECTOR GENERAL ‘s OFFICE INDEPENDENT PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT CHIEF MINISTRY SECRETARIAT CROATIAN ARMED FORCES GENERAL STAFF MATERIAL RESOURCES DIRECTORATE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTORATE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, FINANCE AND BUDGET DIRECTORATE DEFENCE POLICY DIRECTORATE MINISTER’S CABINET INDEPENDENT MILITARY AIR TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT INDEPENDENT MILITARY ORDINARIATE SUPPORT DIVISION MILITARY SECURITY INTELLIGENCE AGENCY INDEPENDENT INTERNAL REVISION DIVISION PROTOCOL DIVISION Our Ministry of Defence has over 1000 employed (it used to employ even some 2000 military and civilian personnel), but we plan to reduce that number to some 300 or so. I am not going to talk about that in details. 9

CROATIAN ARMED FORCES CAF is fully professional with volunteer draftees and contract reserves Current strength: approx.16,000 Organisation comprises: General Staff with six directorates (J1-J6); three services: Army Navy Air Force & Air Defence and Support Command Croatian Military Academy CAF General Staff headed by the Chief Lieutenant General Drago Lovrić, M.S.

OTHER FACTS OF INTEREST National currency: Kuna (HRK) 100 Lipa = 1 HRK (per US$ = 5.75 Kuna as @ Feb 2012) National Internet Domain: .hr International Dialling Code: + 385 Vehicle Country Bumper Sticker: HR Time Zone: Central European Time, CET (GMT + 1 hour) TRIVIA: Authentically Croatian: Neck tie Ball-point pen Torpedo Dalmatian dog Here are few key facts about the Croatian Armed Forces. 11

USEFUL LINKS Government of Croatia – http://www.vlada.hr Ministry of Defence – http://www.morh.hr Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs – http://www.mfa.hr Ministry of Interior – http://mup.hr Croatian National Tourist Board – http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Homepage National Protection and Rescue Directorate – http://duzs.hr Regent Esplanade Zagreb Hotel – http://regenthotels.com/hr-HR/Zagreb Zagreb Airport – http://www.zagreb-airport.hr Customs Directorate – http://www.carina.hr/Pocetna/IndexEN.aspx Here are few key facts about the Croatian Armed Forces. 12

Thank you for your time!