ZAGREB, 1 March 2022 - The government has not proposed nor has President Zoran Milanović ordered raising the level of preparedness of the Croatian Armed Forces, the Office of the President said in a statement on Tuesday, stressing that the current security situation in Croatia does not require raising the level of the army's readiness.
"The President of the Republic is in close contact with the commanders of the Croatian Armed Forces and the chiefs of security and intelligence. The current security situation in Croatia does not require raising the level of preparedness of the Croatian Armed Forces. The government has not proposed and President Zoran Milanović has not ordered raising the level of preparedness of the Croatian Armed Forces," the Office of the President said.
Under the Defence Act, orders putting the Croatian Armed Forces on alert are issued by the President of the Republic following a proposal to such effect by the government.
The Office of the President issued its statement after Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Monday night made a statement about Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
"In order to provide the public with accurate information and avoid alarming Croatian citizens, the Office of the President considers it necessary to comment on the statement by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković who said last night that 'the Croatian Army has raised the level of preparedness from the usual level,'" the Office of the President said.
Under the Defence Act, putting the army on alert implies mobilisation, organisation, security and other measures and procedures necessary to prevent and remove a threat of attack on Croatia and other threats to the country's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, its citizens and property, the President's Office said.
