Deputy Defence Minister met delegation of the U.S. Congress

On this occasion the Deputy Minister thanked for the support of the U.S. Congress to Croatian membership in NATO and on the development of the Croatian capabilities through the various forms of assistance and help.

As noted during the talks, cooperation in security and defence occupies one of the central places that have significance for the overall bilateral relations between the U.S. and Croatia. Ms. Tafra expressed hope that, in the context of possible future U.S. defence budget cuts, partnership between the United States and Croatia would remain strong in the field of defence cooperation and assistance.

Representative Elton Gallegly said that our two countries would remain partners and that the United States, regardless of the anticipated reduction in defence funding, would continue to provide political support to Croatia.

Deputy Minister informed the U.S. delegation on the process of drafting national documents such as the National Security Strategy, the Strategic Defence Review and the Armed Forces Long Term Development Plan, and presented the legislative changes going underway, restructuring, and modernization and development plans of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces.

In the context of cooperation within the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, Ms. Tafra said that Croatia remained committed to the principle “together in together out”. “Although the imminent reduction in number of our forces on the ground is going to happen, our emphasis will be on training, mentoring and advising the Afghan Security Forces. We welcome the allies’ agreed terms of NATO engagement after the 2014, which will be focused to training and advising of the ANSF and the announced financial support for sustainable ANSF after 2014. In this context, Croatia is ready to make its contribution”, Deputy Minister Višnja Tafra said.