# Italian Armed Forces Day Commemorated in Zagreb Diplomatic event honors military service and strengthens bilateral ties between Italy and Croatia. - **Source:** [ANSA English](https://www.ansa.it/english) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/dddd0128-70fd-418f-9f31-543b7c772a2c ## Diplomatic Gathering in Zagreb The Italian Embassy in Croatia hosted a formal ceremony and reception to mark National Unity and Italian Armed Forces Day. Attendees included Croatian institutional representatives, military attachés, and business leaders. This event served as a platform to reinforce the ongoing diplomatic and strategic partnership between the two neighboring European nations. ## Honoring Fallen Service Members The ceremony commenced with a solemn minute of silence dedicated to four service members who perished in an October helicopter accident. These individuals were serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of Operation EUFOR Althea. The tribute honored two Italian Army soldiers and two members of the Italian Red Cross. ## Commitment to Global Peace Ambassador Paolo Trichilo delivered remarks emphasizing the professionalism of the Italian Armed Forces. He highlighted that the pursuit of peace remains a foundational value of the Italian Constitution. This commitment guides Italy’s active participation in both European Union and NATO missions, reflecting the country’s dedication to international security and stability. ## Strengthening Military Cooperation The event underscored the deepening military collaboration between Italy and Croatia. Ambassador Trichilo noted that this partnership functions effectively both on a bilateral level and within broader international frameworks. Such cooperation is essential for maintaining regional security and fostering mutual trust between the defense sectors of these two Adriatic nations. ## Leadership Transition in Defense The ceremony served as a formal farewell for Colonel Di Stefano, who concluded his mission as military attaché based in Budapest. Simultaneously, the embassy welcomed Colonel Lodato to the role. This transition aims to ensure continuity in strengthening the dialogue and operational coordination between the Italian and Croatian defense establishments. ## Commemorating Historical Armistice Following the reception, the Italian delegation visited the Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb on November 13. Ambassador Trichilo led the group in a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument dedicated to Italian war dead. This annual tradition commemorates the Armistice of November 11, 1918, which officially ended the hostilities of World War I. ## Diverse Institutional Representation Key figures present included Marin Corva, President of the Italian Union, and Anamarija Blažević, President of the Italy-Croatia Bilateral Friendship Section. The presence of Dinko Lucić, CEO of PBZ, and Aldo Di Biagio of the Italian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce highlighted the intersection of military diplomacy with the broader economic and civil society. ## Significance of Bilateral Ties These events highlight the multifaceted nature of Italy-Croatia relations, spanning security, history, and economic interests. By honoring the past while facilitating current military dialogue, the embassy reinforces its role as a bridge between the two countries. Such diplomatic efforts remain critical for maintaining long-term stability and cooperation within the European region. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ansa.it/english/news/news_from_embassies/2026/11/12/italian-armed-forces-day-celebrated-in-zagreb_4ba52f33-092b-4346-b03e-db2a1eece1ed.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._