Prince Regent of Abu Dhabi visits Croatian Pavilion on “IDEX”
The military industry, the security situation in the North Africa, in the Gulf and southeast Europe as well as the ISAF mission in Afghanistan were the topics of a long and cordial conversation between the Minister of Defence Davor Bozinovic and the Prince Regent of Abu Dhabi General Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed All Nahyan, who is also Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates, during a meeting in Abu Dhabi, where “IDEX 2011” fair of the military industry has been held.
During the talks it was concluded that it was necessary to intensify cooperation between the two countries including those in the defence field. Minister Bozinovic stressed that the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries, the Croatian membership in NATO and soon in the European Union, and mutual participation in the ISAF mission, was a good basis for strengthening relations between Croatia and the United Arab Emirates.
Prince Mohammed bin Zayed positively responded to the invitation of Bozinovic to visit the Croatian pavilion at the IDEX fair of military industry, which he did with pleasure. His visit was a great recognition to Croatian exhibitors since more than 1000 producers from around the world was exhibiting on the IDEX. During the visit to the Croatian pavilion, representatives of companies Djuro Djakovic – Special vehicles, Sestan Busch, Inkop, DOK-ING, Kroko and HS Produkt had the opportunity to present their products, and the prince regent confirmed his interest in the products of the Croatian military industry and opened the possibilities for Croatian companies to directly negotiate with partners in the United Arab Emirates.
In separate talks with the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates General Hamad M. Al Thani Romathi, Minister Bozinovic talked about ISAF operation and possible bilateral cooperation between Croatia and UAE, with emphasis on the Croatia’s role in the training of the Afghan army. During the talks, they discussed the possibilities of cooperation through training of Special Forces, but also the possibilities of equipping the members of the UAE Armed Forces with the Croatian military equipment. Chief of General Staff of the UAE Armed Forces General Al Romathi expressed satisfaction with the meeting and said that the possibilities for defence cooperation in several areas has been opening, initiated by the visit of Minister Bozinovic and his delegation.
He also said that in the near future he would sent a delegation of the UAE Armed Forces to Croatia to investigate the proposed mutual defence and military cooperation with an emphasis on defence industry cooperation.