Croatian Defence Minister hosts Slovenian Minister Jakič

The two ministers underlined their countries enjoying good relations, which should be pursued in the future in  their strategic interest.

They also praised the relevant and focussed defence co-operation so far, with Slovenia among Croatia’s most active European bilateral partners (alongside Poland, Germany and Italy).
During the talks Minister Kotromanović expressed satisfaction over the large number of jointly conducted activities, particularly over the increasing number of exercises and training events. Slovenian Minister Jakič praised the first formal meeting of the two ministers and the defence co-operation over the past period and extended high appreciation to Croatia for the assistance provided during the floods hitting Slovenia recently.

The two delegations envisaged the possibilities for expanded defence and security co-operation, as Slovenia and Croatia share a series of common interests offering the options for new co-operation and joint operation forms, particularly as NATO and the Eumembers, sharing the efforts and responsibility for the security and stability in the region and the interest for maintained defence capabilities in the situation characterised by reduced defence investments.

The meeting was an occasion to discuss the security at the regional and European level, particularly with respect to the situation i Ukraine and the forthcoming NATO summit, in which regard the two ministers outlined the Open Door Policy as a topic to be discussed at the Summit, important for Southeast Europe and the aspirant countries (Montenegro and Republic of Macedonia). They also analysed NATO’s operation in Afghanistan and development of the Alliance’s defence capabilities.

The official visit by the Slovenian delegation comprises the meeting with the President of the Republic of Croatia, the Chairman of the Defence Committee of the Croatian Parliament and the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Vesna Pusić respectively, and the visit to the Croatian Defence Academy “Petar Zrinski”.