Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic laid a wreath on the memorial plaque on the government building commemorating a Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) air raid on the building 28 years ago.

Plenkovic said that the attack marked a turning point in the process of Croatia’s gaining independence from Yugoslavia. “Fortunately, the state leadership survived the attack, which was followed by the key and definitive decision at a secret session of Parliament to sever all constitutional and legal ties with the structures of the former state,” he said.

“This day is also important in terms of respect for the Homeland War, Croatian defenders, the first president Tudjman, the clearly expressed will of the Croatian people in the independence referendum, the eventual international recognition and the fact that Croatia became an international entity,” the prime minister told reporters.