Minister Anušić at the meeting of defence ministers of the CEDC initiative in Prague

On 7 and 8 December 2023 Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić took part in the defence ministers’ meeting of the Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC) member states held in Prague, the Czech Republic.

The regional security and defence initiative CEDC’s defence ministers discussed the outcomes of the Czech Republic’s presidency of the initiative this year, the security environment in the Western Balkans, the effects of the conflict in Ukraine and the developments in the Gaza strip on security of the Western Balkans.

In addition to the ministers of the CEDC member states: Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland that has the observer status, the second session was also attended by the defence ministers or representatives of the countries of the Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Anušić expressed his satisfaction that his first international engagement was the CEDC meeting in Prague. He also congratulated the Czech side for a very well-executed chairmanship of the initiative this year and wished Hungary success in its 2024 chairmanship.

He highlighted his belief that this cooperation will grow even more in the upcoming years, particularly in light of the need to create a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous region of the Western Balkans, a goal to which the Government of the Republic of Croatia is fully committed.

“For Croatia, this is extremely important because the preservation of peace, the strengthening of democracy, and the progress of the Euro-Atlantic integration process are key to the security and stability of Europe as a whole. Peace in the area of the Western Balkans was hard earned and won, and it would be a mistake to take it for granted,” the minister said, adding that the missed opportunities for progress in the process of European integration led to a more active strengthening of Russian influence in the Western Balkans.

Minister Anušić welcomed his Western Balkan colleagues during the working session on the effects of the conflict in Ukraine and the events in the Gaza strip on the region. “Your presence here is extremely important because we can achieve regional security and stability more easily if we act in synergy,” he stated.

Minister Anušić reiterated the Croatian government’s stance in light of the events in the Gaza strip: Croatia firmly supports Israel’s right to self-defence under the international law and unequivocally condemns the terrorist attack on Israel. “We were suddenly confronted with the immense suffering that innocent citizens in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank had to endure. It is now crucial to adopt actions that will result in long-lasting peace and a promising future.” The minister stated that it is critical to support Israel and Ukraine equally at this time since they are two democracies that are being attacked directly.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić met with his colleagues, Marjan Šarec from Slovenia, Zukan Helez from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ejup Maqedonci from Kosovo, on the margins of the ministerial meeting of the CEDC initiative.
The outstanding bilateral cooperation between friendly and neighbouring nations in all functional areas was confirmed by Ministers Anušić and Šarec. “It fills me with satisfaction that we could help the Republic of Slovenia get past the aftereffects of the storm and disastrous floods. Like your assistance to Croatia following the earthquake, this was a great example of allied solidarity,” Minister Anušić pointed out.

The friendly relations between the two neighbouring nations were reaffirmed during the meeting between Ministers Anušić and Helez, particularly in the area of defence. As a guarantor of the Dayton Agreement, Croatia strongly supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s integrity. Minister Anušić noted on this occasion that Croatia will continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in the fields of defence and security, particularly in terms of accession to the Euro-Atlantic integration.

Minister Helez expressed gratitude to Croatia for helping Bosnia and Herzegovina along their path towards the Euro-Atlantic integration.

Excellent bilateral relations and a shared interest in the stability of the Western Balkans were confirmed by Ministers Anušić and Ejup Maqedonci. “First of all, I would like to thank the Republic of Croatia for the friendship shown, for the presence of the Croatian contingent in KFOR operations, as well as for the foreign policy that Croatia has towards Kosovo,” Minister Maqedonci said.

Noting that he will specifically focus on enhancing defence cooperation as part of his term of office, Minister Anušić said, “Croatia continues to provide support to Kosovo on its path to joining both the NATO alliance and the European Union.”