ZAGREB, February 19, 2020 – Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Tuesday the nomination of Vice Admiral Robert Hranj as new military chief of staff would be on the government’s agenda on Thursday and that there were no problems with President Zoran Milanović in agreeing on the nomination.
Plenković told reporters Hranj was one of the key people in the Main Staff who, together with the head of his office, was at the helm of a task force for the procurement of fighter jets.
Most important for the government and the defence minister is that the Croatian army functions well and that the highest commanders are reputable officials with the skills and knowledge necessary for the army, he said.
Defence Minister Damir Krstičević said Hranj was a good choice and that their cooperation so far had been very good.
Reporters asked both officials what they thought about Milanović’s inauguration earlier today.
Plenković said he saw no problem in the fact that he did not comment on it earlier. “This was the inauguration of the president of the republic, it’s his day. I was there, respecting Croatian institutions and the whole process. I congratulated him and think everything was okay.”
Plenković said Milanović’s speech was about how he saw society and his work ahead, adding that the government has its own programme and work.
Asked what their cohabitation would be like, he said they would cooperate there where the constitution and the law “connected” them, adding that today they talked informally and not about when they would meet.
Krstičević once again congratulated the new president. “What’s key is that we focus on the further development and strengthening of the Croatian army and that’s my task.”
The prime minister also commented on announcements that gas prices would go down. “I think that’s good,” he said, adding that it was important that the goal was to raise living standards, which he said could be achieved by reducing expenses and raising salaries.
More news about Zoran Milanović can be found in the Politics section.
