Defence Minister meets with UK Ambassador
The Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević on 30 November 2016 received in visit the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Croatia, H.E.. Andrew Dalgleish.
Minister Krstičević briefed Ambassador Dalgleish on the key plans of the Ministry of Defence in the upcoming period, entailing the reforms and the drafting of the National Security Strategy and the concept of the Homeland Security. The Minister also stressed the increased defence budget as the first contribution of the new Croatian Government to the defence sector.
The Minister and the Ambassador agreed on the good overall bilateral relations and the expanding co-operation in the domains of security dnd derence, particularly the joint contribution to the international security through the engagement in peace support missions and operations and to the regional and global security situation
Minister Krstičević emophasised that the United Kingdom was an important European ally for Croatia, both bilaterally and within NATO.
The Minister and the Ambassador analysed the security situation, with the focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, and agreed on the continued European and Euro-Atlantic integration as the most reasonable model towards stabilisation and prosperity, with the support from the Republic of Croatia to all neighbours based on its own experience with the integration.
The Ul.K Ambassador Dalgleish confirmed the interest of his country to continue the bilateral co-operation focussed on defence capabilities and joint engagement in responding to the current securiy threats, and the readiness to share and pass on the lessons learned related to the drafting of strategic national security documents.
In conclusion, the two sides declared mutual interest in continued and enhanced defence co-operation activities.