Minister Krstičević attends NATO Summit

The summit was formally opened in the new NATO headquarters in Brussels on 11 July.
On the eve of the meeting Minister Krstičević stated: “NATO summit held at the level of the heads of state and government is highly important for Croatia too; its goal is to strengthen NATO deterrence and defence and of stability, as well as fighting the terrorism and enhanced NATO-the EU co-operation and fairer burden-sharing.

“The summit will discuss two new commands – the Atlantic Command, based in Norfolk (USA) and a Command for military mobility headquartered in Ulm (Germany), to ensure a faster and more efficient movement of personnel, equipment and weapons and people across the Atlantic and Europe to faster respond to threats and risks; the participants will also adopt the “Four 30-ies“ Initiative – a commitment to have by 2020: 30 mechanised battalions, 30 air squadrons and 30 combat vessels ready to use within 30 days or less. These are not new forces, but the existing ones, whose readiness is increased and constitute adaption within NATO, where Croatia has an important role too”, said the Minister.

“We are constantly upgrading the capabilities of the Croatian Army and the living and working conditions of their members. Following a years-long continuous decrease, the Croatian Government in office has reversed the trend and we have growing projections for defence budget in the next year as well. As a responsible NATO member Croatia will continue investing more funds for defence towards the target amount (2% of GDP).
“The Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted a conclusion regarding the Defence Investment Pledge adopted at the Wales Summit in 2014. The new Strategic Defence Review, the National Security Strategy and the Croatian Government’s conclusion will enable us to continue increasing the investments for defence purposes, taking into account the fiscal and economic capacities of the Republic of Croatia, and to increase the equipment and modernisation component of the defence budget towards the target 2%, to ensure further development of defence capabilities”, explained Minister Krstičević.

It is a permanent task of all NATO members to invest into security, which is of critical importance for both Croatia and the Alliance, to enable us to respond to any threats and risks. “Croatia has a national plan and all that is necessary to contribute to international security”.

On the eve of the arrival of the U.S. Secretary of Defense in an official visit to the Republic of Croatia Minister Krstičević emphasised: “The United States is key strategic partner in the domains of defence and security, and the Special Meeting of defence ministers of the U.S: Adriatic Charter to be attended by Secretary Mattis confirms that the Republic of Croatia is a stable and safe country and a security factor in southeast Europe“.

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