Banožić at the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. Croatia Croatia is qualified and experienced to help Ukraine

On 11 October 2023, the first day of the meeting, the NATO-Ukraine Council (NUC) met in defense ministers format in Brussels.

One of the outcomes of the Vilnius Summit was the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council, which began a new chapter in NATO’s relations with Ukraine. This format allows for formal debates, joint decision-making, the development of interoperability, and further steps on Ukraine’s path to joining NATO.
Once more, NATO members reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to and solidarity with Ukraine.

Rustem Umerov, a Ukrainian minister, attended the meeting and provided an update on the situation on the ground, as well as on the preparations for the second winter of Russia-Ukraine conflict and the reformation of the country’s security and defense industry.

The NATO-Ukraine Council meeting was appraised favourably by Minister Banožić, who also said that the Republic of Croatia’s continued support is unquestionable: “Croatia has the knowledge and experience to help Ukraine in reform processes. In addition to assistance within national frameworks, Croatia contributes €500,000 to the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine.”

To secure the safe return of the population and Ukraine’s economic growth, the issue of mine contamination, which now makes Ukraine one of the world’s most heavily mine-contaminated nations, must be solved.

Announcing that the International Donor Conference for Humanitarian Demining of Ukraine was being held in Zagreb under the auspices of the Governments of the Republic of Croatia and Ukraine, the Minister informed his colleagues that Croatia is one of the leaders in international efforts to support Ukraine in the area of humanitarian demining. “Taking into account our experience and industrial potential, Croatia is one of the leaders in helping Ukraine in the field of demining,” he said.