Deputy Minister Ivić attends the the EU Foreign Affairs Council

The agenda of 14 November included a joint session of the foreign and defence ministers. Who discussed the current course of events in the crisis spots and the proposed Implementation Plan on Security and Defence under the EU Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy adopted in June 2016.
The EU High Representative Federica Mogherini outlined the important segments of the Implementation Plan and the main steps forward.
The Council adopted the conclusions setting out the implementing the EU Global Strategy in the area of Security and Defence, with the emphasis on three strategic priorities defining the level of ambition, namely  responding to external conflicts and crises, building the partner capacity and the protection of the EU and its citizens.
The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Davor Ivo Stier and the Deputy Defence Minister Tomislav Ivić welcomed the Plan proposal as critical for the efficiency and credibility of the EU in security and defence through the three identified  strategic priorities.
On the 15 November the ministers were joined by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, to discuss  the EU-NATO co-operation, with regard to the implementation of the EU global strategy on security and defence and of the EU-NATO joint declaration.  The High Representative and the NATO Secretary General informed on the proposals in the seven areas identified in the joint declaration for deepening the co-operation to be presented and adopted in early December.
The participants underlined the need for comprehensive EU-NATO coordination and complementarity and the commitment of the EU to a strong transatlantic relationship.
The ministers reviewed the operations and missions within the Common Foreign and Security Policy, notably the situation in Lybia and EU NAVFOR MED Sophia, underlining the need for a proactive approach by the EU towards the partners enhanced resilience in crisis management, and for the co-operation and solidarity as a guarantee of the security environment  within and beyond the EU borders. .
 
The ministers discussed the current situation with regard to the CSDP operations, and were updated on the situation in Libya and the Mediterranean – the course of the EU NAVFOR MED Operation Sophia.
 Deputy Minister Ivić stated that the Republic of Croatia viewed the EU – NATO co-operation through the strengthened Common Security and Defence Policy and of the overall European defence capabilities, including the crisis management, capability building and political consultations. 

The Council meeting was preceded by the meeting of the Steering Committee of the European Defence Agency. The ministers were briefed on the progress report since the last meeting and on the planned strategic activities focussed on the enhancing of defence co-operation, research and development as well as the review of the Agency budget and resources..
The Croatian Deputy Defence Minister stated the Croatian view on the role of the European Defence Agency in defence co-operation and capablity building of the member countries,   underlining the importance of co-ordinated capability planning with NATO as the EU’s strategic partner.