A commemoration was held in Podrute near the northwestern Croatian town of Novi Marof on Wednesday to mark the 29th anniversary of the death of five European Community peace monitors - four Italians and a Frenchman - whose unarmed helicopter was shot down by a Yugoslav Air Force MiG-21 on 7 January 1992.

In memory of those killed, Melita Mulic, Sinisa Jenkac and Frano Matusic as envoys for the President, Parliament Speaker and Prime Minister respectively laid wreaths on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of this tragic event.

Italy’s Ambassador to Croatia Pierfrancesco Sacco and an envoy from the French Embassy, Florence Skrlj attended the ceremony and laid wreaths in honour of those killed.

The shooting down of the helicopter showed the world who the aggressor was

Thanking everyone who attended the commemoration, Novi Marof Mayor Jenkac underscored that the people who shot down the helicopter with the EU monitors on board showed the world who the aggressor was.

“They showed that this was not a civil war but an aggression that did not choose its means and simply did all it could to execute its plan,” said Jenkac.

He recalled that immediately after this event many European countries recognised Croatia as a sovereign and independent state.

Ambassador Sacco said that the noble death of five soldiers, four of whom were Italians, bore witness to Italy’s dedication to cooperation and peaceful solutions to international conflicts.

Tragedy written in the history of Croatia’s fight for freedom

Matusic thanked Italy and France for showing solidarity with Croatia after it was struck by several earthquakes last year.

“Our friends from Italy and France immediately provided assistance showing their solidarity with the people affected by the earthquake,” said Matusic.

A helicopter carrying EU monitors Colonel Enzo Venturini and Lieutenants Marco Matta, Silvano Natale and Fiorenzo Ramacci of Italy, and French Lieutenant Jean Loup Eychenne was shot down on 7 January 1992 above Podrute, killing all on board.