The Croatian state leadership, led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, on Monday laid wreaths and lit candles at Zagreb's central Mirogoj cemetery, on the occasion of Independence Day.

“Today, on Independence Day, we remember the time when the Croatian Parliament adopted a decision on severing all ties with the then Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), only a day after the air strike on the government headquarters, carried out by the aggressor Yugoslav People’s Army,” Plenkovic said after laying wreaths, adding that event had marked a turning point on Croatia’s path to independence and the key condition for international recognition of Croatia which followed only three months later.

“The key goal of a free, independent, and sovereign state was achieved,” Plenkovic said.

We continue on that road today, he added, nearly 30 years later, this time fully integrated into the European and transatlantic context.

He singled out boosting the economy and improving the life standard of all the people in Croatia, as well as strengthening Croatian institutions and their independence, as tasks still to be tackled.

Wreaths were laid at wreaths at the Wall of Pain, the Central Cross at the Alley of Veterans Killed in the 1991-95 War, at the grave of Croatia’s first president Franjo Tudjman and at the grave of unidentified victims of the 1991-95 War.

Independence Day was also marked on St. Mark’s Square with a ceremony that included a changing of the honour guard and music.

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