Croatia marks 7th anniversary of NATO membership

The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Željko Reiner emphasised that co-operation and consensus were NATO’s principal habits and a key to lasting solutions for possible security threats.

“The international community is today faced with one of the most challenging periods in its recent history. We are exposed to threats to the global security on a daily basis. Croatia and the Allies have to do their utmost to protect its citizens. Our country is recognised in NATO as one of the main advocates of collective security“.

“We are marking the 7th Anniversary of NATO membership, which is a short period compared to other member nations, but in my view  we have made a huge progress“, said the Defence Minister (representing the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia). Croatia undertook and completed a series of defence reforms within a short time span. Its Armed Forces are small, flexible and capable of responding to the current and future challenges alongside the partners in NATO “which is the main guarantee of security and freedom; NATO is the strongest and a unique politico-military organisation of global range and the sole one to possess the resources, the know-how and the capabilities for effective deterrence and resistance to new security threats. Hence the importance of NATO membership. The Minister also welcomed the prospective entry of Montenegro and reiterated the support from Croatia for the Euro-Atlantic integration of all aspiring countries of southeast Europe. He concluded by expressing the commitment of Croatia to remain a responsible member who will continue to fulfill its responsibilities in providing the peace, democracy and other advocated and shared values jointly with its partners within NATO.

The Envoy of the President of the Republic, Maja Čavlović reminded of the brief period from the independence to the membership in NATO and the EU. “Following the successful defence from the aggression the Croatian military continued to lead the transition processes and the adoption of NATO standards. Our lasting imperative is to invest continuously into the defence and national security system“.

Ms Čavlović also highlighted the importance of collective security and asserted that the new asymmetrical threats called for a comprehensive approach and a new level of consultations and co-operation between NATO and the partner nations and the international organisations respectively.Croatia is faced with the process of the reviewing and considering the extension to the existing national security arrangements and of the establishment of the unified system of Homeland security.

The Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mirko Šundov extended appreciation to all who contributed to the realisation of the strategic goal for the Republic of Croatia and emphasised that  membership in NATO was a lasting solution of its security. Referring to the collective security, common goals and readiness of the Alliance members, Lieutenant General Šundov reviewed NATO –led operations which engaged the Armed Forces, namely ISAF Operation succeded by Resolute Support in Afghanistan and KFOR in Kosovo. Addressing the impact of NATO membership  on the development and reforms in the Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Šundov highlighted the achievements, namely the  fulfilled criteria for membership and standards of development comparable to those of other member nations. 
“The Croatian Armed Forces will continue to develop as a modern, well-equipped and trained force  interoperable with the Allied and partner forces; and they will be the principal  institution to create secure and stable environment for the Republic of Croatia” concluded Lieutenant General Šundov.

The Secretary General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly David Hobbs delivered a lecture on „The role and mission of NATO Parliamentary Assembly in the context of the response to the security threats of the 21st century“ and the Croatian Permanent Representative to NATO, Amb. Boris Grigić updated the visitors on “NATO priorities in the light of the forthcoming  Warsaw Summit“.  

The marking of the 7th Anniversary of the entry of the Republic of Croatia to NATO featured the presentation of the experiences from the international missions and operations by Brigadier General  Gordana Garašić, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Križanec, Sergeant Major Dominik Ban and 1st Sergeant  Sanja Kevo.

The Head of the Croatian parliamentary delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly,  Damir Krstičević in his key-note address underscored that Croatia’s entry to NATO definitely confirmed its values and maturity and that collective security was the only logical option to pursue, and that all institutions had to adjust to new security threats.
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