Annual reception of the Defence Diplomatic Corps organised at the Ministry of Defence

On Friday, December 15, 2023 the annual reception for members of the Defence Diplomatic Corps accredited in the Republic of Croatia held on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays was traditionally organised at the Croatian Ministry of Defence.

The annual reception was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, Chief of the CAF General Staff Admiral Robert Hranj and Doyen of the Defence Diplomatic Corps, Defence Attaché of the French Republic Colonel Amar Ouali, representatives of the Croatian Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces, and members of the Defence Diplomatic Corps.

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić thanked everyone present for their cooperation, and in his address he referred to the challenges at the global and regional levels.

“Unfortunately, the Russian aggression against Ukraine still continues. The situation in the Middle East after Hamas’s terrorist attack on the State of Israel is still difficult, and security challenges in the Western Balkans are still present,” said Minister Anušić, emphasising that Croatia will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine and support the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans.

Minister Anušić also emphasised that he will continue to build a strong and capable Armed Forces, which requires a further increase in the defence budget: “Investments will be focused on equipping, modernising and improving the standards of Croatian soldiers. The first Bradley vehicles have already arrived in Croatia, and the Rafale combat aicraft will arrive in spring. In 2024 we will focus on the procurement of ammunition, Patria vehicles, coastal patrol ships, Black Hawk helicopters and the return of the armed forces to Beli Manastir. Participation in NATO, EU and UN operations and missions will continue to be an important pillar of our contribution to international security.”
In the end, Minister Anušić emphasised the importance of defence diplomatic cooperation in all the areas previously mentioned, and thanked the defence attachés for excellent cooperation between the ministries of defence of their countries and the Croatian Ministry of Defence.

“I look forward to cooperation with our allies and partners on projects of common interest,” Minister Anušić said.
Chief of the CAF General Staff Admiral Robert Hranj used this opportunity to say that the Croatian Armed Forces are currently undergoing significant processes of equipping and modernisation, and that one of the most important tasks in the coming period will be recruiting young people.

In the context of the security situation in the world, he emphasised the importance of joint coordinated action, and thanked the defence attachés for everything they do as part of their mandates in the Republic of Croatia, both for the interests of their countries and for the common interests of EU and NATO members, partner and friendly countries.

“Croatia is recognized as a guarantor of security in these areas, and will strive to be so in the future as well, trying to take into account all security challenges, especially in the immediate neighbourhood,” the admiral said.

Defence Attaché of the French Republic Colonel Amar Ouali thanked the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Anušić for the invitation to today’s gathering of defence attachés, noting that the Republic of Croatia within NATO and the EU has been proving its credibility and strength for years, and is a respectable ally and partner. He emphasised that in the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Croatia showed great solidarity with the Ukrainian people in their struggle for freedom.

“These days are very difficult and challenging in terms of security issues, and it is required from all of us to jointly find solutions for the various types of threats we face, especially those that concern the territorial integrity and freedom of all our nations,” Defence Attaché Ouali said.

In the end, Defence Attaché Ouali said that he welcomes all the processes that Croatia is involved in regarding the modernisation and equipping of the Croatian Armed Forces.
The Defence Diplomatic Corps consists of all defence attachés accredited in the Republic of Croatia. Defence attachés are members of diplomatic missions of their country in the receiving country or at international organizations. They represent the armed forces and defence policy of their country in the receiving country.