Defence Minister meets with the U.S. Ambassador

to the Republic of Croatia, H. E. Julieta Valls Noyes, who was acoompanied by the Deputy Ambassador, Douglas Jones, the Defence Attaché to the Republic of Croatia, Colonel Robert Mathers and the Chief of the Office for Defense Cooperation, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Denny.
 The agenda of the meeting included the discussion on the bilateral defence co-operation, the U.S. support to the development of the capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces, the joint contribution to the international security through the deployment in peace support missions and operations and to the regional and global security situation.
The two officials praised the excellent bilateral co-operation, particularly the defence segment as its most intense domain.
Minister Krstičević outlined the plans of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and of the Ministry of Defence and huighlighted the preparation of a National Security Strategy as a priority in te upcoming period, as well as drafting other strategic documents and the amending of the existing legislation in the defence domain.
 The Minister announced  the intended establishment of a modern and cost-effective system of homeland security in the Republic of Croatia, for maximised and co-ordinated use of all capabilities and potentials of the security and defence system and other institutions and organisations relevant for the security of the Republic of Croatia and its citizens.
The Ambassador and the Minister also reviewed the commitments and decisions from the Warsaw Summit i and underlined the need for for increased defence budget as a long-term goal, in compliance with both the domestic needs and the assumed international commitments.
The U.S Ambassador appreciated the Republic of Croatia for its contribution to the international security through its deployment in the operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo and expressed the conviction that the existing co-operation between the two strategic allies and partners in the domain of defence and security was expanded and intensified in all  remaining functional areas.