Minister Krstičević meets with German Defence Minister

The two ministers affirmed the intensive and productive defence co-operation between Croatia and Germany and stated the intentions to continue it, for the benefit of defence capabilities and connection between the Croatian and German defence industries, and the joint efforts within NATO and the EU.
Ministar Krstičević said: “The Federal Republic of Germany is Croatia’s key European partner in defence and security.  I am glad that the Croatian soldiers will be engaged in enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania with Germany as the lead nation, assuming responsibility for the collective security of the Euro-Atlantic area. The co-operation runs in various domains, along with the joint deployment in NATO-led operations in Afghanistanu and in Kosovo, as well as within the EU Battlegroup“.
The Minister said he was glad that his German counterpart had the opportunity to see soime of the weapons and equipment made in Croatia. “I am convinced that Croatia and Germany will establish co-operation in defence industry, for which purpose we have agreed on a joint business conference, to establish closer connections between the respective industries“.

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen underlined Croatia’s important role within both  NATO and the EU, primarily through its huge contribution through the missions and operations.
“We admire Croatia’s development as a partner in the security area in NATO and the EU“, said the German Minister, who emphasised the deployment within NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania as“an important step for Croatia and Lithuania alike, and stated that Germany would assist Croatia and its soldiers with its experience.
Minister von der Leyen also extended appreciation for the participation of the Croatian Armed Forces in international missions; and highlighting the coordinated operation in Kosovo and in years-long engagement in Afghanistan, where the Croatian Armed Forces proved themselves as reliable partner for Germany.
The ministers exchanged the views on the current security and political situation in Europe and wider, reiterating the commitment to the EU’s and NATO’s Open Door Policy; and also addressed and and agreed on further defence co-operation and capability building activities related to the EU, in view of Croatia presiding in the first and Germany in the second half of 2020.
The ministers also discussed the military technical co-peration and highlighted the successful project of the procurement of 16 self-propelled PzH 2000 Howitzers.
The German Minister also met with the Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

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