War Veterans Minister Tomo Medved said on Wednesday the government had never ignored the foundation of the independent and sovereign Croatia - the Homeland War and the defenders - for which it was very grateful to them.

Our government, inspired by the defenders’ sacrifice and the courage and determination of the first Croatian president, Franjo Tudjman, is running Croatia in very demanding circumstances due to the pandemic and last year’s earthquakes, Medved told the press at Zagreb’s Mirogoj cemetery after laying wreaths on the occasion of Victory Day, Homeland Thanksgiving Day, Veterans’ Day and the 26th anniversary of Operation Storm.

Asked if retired generals were boycotting President Zoran Milanovic’s reception on the eve of tomorrow’s holiday, Medved said he would call it a communication problem and that it was important to communicate directly, not through the media.

It is up to the invitees to decide whether to attend, he said, adding that the veterans, defence and interior ministries were providing the logistical support regarding transport and accommodation.

He said the reception was organised by Milanovic’s office and that the defence minister would attend given that military officers would be awarded and commended.

Medved called on the generals to communicate directly in the spirit of tolerance and understanding and to avoid misunderstandings given that tomorrow’s anniversary was being observed under Covid rules.

He called for creating an atmosphere of unity and observing anniversaries with dignity, remembering the time when Croatia was being defended.

It is important that as a society, wherever we are on an anniversary, we pay tribute to our victims and thank the veterans, he said, adding that tomorrow’s Operation Storm anniversary would be observed around the country, not just in Knin.