HSLS Official: Croatia Must Attend Paris Parade, President Milanović Wrong

Nevenka Lastrić-Đurić, a prominent figure in the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) and a state secretary in the Ministry of Interior, has asserted that Croatia must participate in the upcoming military parade in Paris on July 14. She argued that Croatia's rightful place is among its allies in the European Union and NATO, directly contradicting President Milanović's stance.

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My answer is that it absolutely should. Croatia's place is with its allies, among the 37 member states of the European Union, or NATO member states. President Milanović acted wrongly.

"Croatia's place is with its allies, among the 37 member states of the European Union, or NATO member states. President Milanović acted wrongly," Lastrić-Đurić stated. She addressed the constitutional debate surrounding the joint foreign policy creation by the president and prime minister, acknowledging the perspective but stressing the significance of July 14, Bastille Day, and France's own participation in Croatia's Statehood Day celebrations.

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I understand that point of view and respect it, but we must also remember that July 14 is Bastille Day, and the French came to our Statehood Day.

From a legal and political standpoint, Lastrić-Đurić believes the Croatian army should attend the Paris event. She clarified that while a military commander leads during conflict, the current period is one of peace, governed by the Minister of Defense and the Law on Defense. She noted that the decision to participate rests with the government, not solely the military command.

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I would not say what the general should or should not have done. He made his decision, and each individual will, of course, be responsible for their own actions. Everyone is responsible for their own actions. I am speaking to you from a legal and political aspect that the Croatian army should go to Paris.

Responding to the fact that France did not reciprocate Croatia's invitation to its military parade while attending Serbia's, Lastrić-Đurić advised against conducting foreign policy based on grudges. "There is no insulting in foreign policy. In foreign policy, you are guided exclusively by one single interest, and that is strategic and national interest," she said. She urged a focus on current geopolitical realities rather than past conflicts, emphasizing that Croatia is in a vulnerable foreign policy period.

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Foreign policy cannot be conducted by keeping a little book of grudges. There is no insulting in foreign policy. In foreign policy, you are guided exclusively by one single interest, and that is strategic and national interest.