Minister Anušić attends the Conference on Security Challenges for Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić states that finding a balance between the demands of the armed forces and green energy solutions is a problem that needs to be solved across departments.
On Wednesday, 6 December 2023 Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and Envoy of the Republic of Croatia Ivan Anušić took part in the conference on security challenges in Europe entitled “Security Challenges for Europe Energy and Climate Security: Impact of War in Ukraine” held in Zagreb.
During that event, Minister Anušić made note of the various threats and challenges that Europe is currently facing, ranging from conventional warfare and hybrid conflicts, including the use of energy, migration, and weapons.
Furthermore, the minister touched on issues such as technology abuse in information manipulation and its effect on the nature of warfare, as well as terrorism, which poses a persistent threat to both individual and collective security.
“Unfortunately, these technologies can be manipulated to alter information and compromise the security of our critical infrastructure through the new operating domains of cyberspace and space.” Minister Anušić also pointed out that the complexity of security issues is increased by the fact that none of the threats mentioned can be addressed separately.
Regarding the effects of climate change on security and society at large, Minister Anušić said: “The security implications of climate change are broad and can vary from individual security to economic and political instability. They frequently exacerbate pre-existing problems, as in the case of illegal immigration, food supply disruptions, or militarization of the Arctic region.”
In reference to the energy security aspect, the minister cited the Russian aggression against Ukraine as an illustration of how energy dependence may be exploited for military purposes.
“From a national standpoint, the Republic of Croatia has guaranteed its independence from Russian gas, not only for itself but also for its neighbours in Central and Southeast Europe. The European Union responded with promptitude and decisiveness, with the goal of attaining energy independence, including through green solutions,” stated the minister.
Speaking specifically about the defence sector, Minister Anušić emphasised: “Our strategic documents and long-term plans need to solve the special challenge of finding a balance between the needs of the Armed Forces and green energy solutions. While moving towards more environmentally friendly solutions, interoperability needs should always be considered, particularly in light of NATO and EU regulations. All of this demonstrates to us the need for a thorough, multi-sector, or whole-of-government approach in cooperation with our partners and allies in order to comprehend the complexity of our vulnerabilities, link their indicators, and create effective countermeasures against those who exploit them to obscure the truth and undermine our security.”
He also stated that the allies responded to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine swiftly and decisively, coordinating both bilaterally and within the frameworks of the EU and NATO. “As for the Republic of Croatia, we have supported and will continue to support Ukraine with as much political, diplomatic, humanitarian, financial, and technical assistance as necessary. It goes without saying that the geopolitical strategic backdrop necessitates the capacity to repel any foe or, in case of necessity, to defend. We need to keep investing in people and capabilities in order to do this. It gives me great pleasure to report that Croatia’s defence budget has increased to its greatest levels since the end of the Homeland War. As a reliable ally and partner, it is our goal and duty to continue this steady upward trend,” Mr. Anušić said.
The two-day Conference on Security Challenges for Europe was organised by RACVIAC, the Centre for Security Cooperation, in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) in Croatia and the George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies.
The conference was opened by RACVIAC Director, H.E. Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, Mr. Holger H. Haibach, Head of the KAS Office in the Republic of Croatia, and Dr. Matthew Rhodes, Professor at the George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies.
The audience was warmly welcomed in the introduction messages given by H.E. Dr. Christian Hellbach, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Croatia, and Mr. Christian Lynch, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States of America to the Republic of Croatia.
This joint initiative is aimed at maintaining a regional platform for addressing transformation processes in South East European (SEE) countries in view of EU and NATO membership responsibilities and institutional readiness, primarily considering the required security sector reform activities within the context of contemporary security challenges. The purpose is to continue the open security policy and discussions with academic experts about impending security concerns.
The panels addressed Euro-Atlantic security, regional energy security amid the Ukrainian conflict, and energy and climate security in the twenty-first century.
The conference brought together more than 150 participants: representatives primarily from SEE countries, senior-level national security policymakers, and subject-matter experts from the ministries of health, the interior, foreign affairs, defence, energy, and governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as members of the diplomatic community.
Minister Anušić talked about the historical projects of equipping and modernisation of the Croatian Army, such as the equipping of the Croatian Army with Bradley infantry fighting vehicles
On Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, Chief of the CAF General Staff Admiral Robert Hranj and their associates paid a working visit to the Croatian Army at the General Petar Stipetić Barracks in Karlovac.
Defence Minister Ivan Anušić praised the Croatian Army members for dedicated and honourable performance of their duties and tasks. He thanked soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers for professional and successful development of the Croatian Army capabilities necessary to preserve peace and security at home and abroad.
On this occasion, Minister Anušić referred to the historical projects of equipping and modernisation of the Croatian Army with modern military equipment, emphasizing the equipping of the Croatian Army with Bradley infantry fighting vehicles whose first batch would be arriving in Croatia.
“The modernisation and equipping of the Croatian Army with modern equipment is a high priority of the Croatian Government. However, the highest priority should be given to the Croatian soldier. Therefore, intensive work is being done to significantly improve substantive and other rights of male and female Croatian Army members,” the minister said.
In this context, Minister Anušić said: “The Croatian Army is the guarantor of peace and security to Croatian citizens, and the global guarantor of security in times of disrupted global security architecture”.
Chief of the CAF General Staff Admiral Robert Hranj and Croatian Army Commander Major General Tihomir Kundid presented the activities and achievements of the Croatian Army.
As part of the working visit, Defence Minister Anušić also visited the Croatian Army Operations Center where he was presented with the Croatian Army weapon systems.