Deputy Defence Minister attends EU Foreign Affairs Council

The meeting was opened by the European Defence Agency Steering Committee, where ministers discussed the continuation of the activities initiated in compliance with the conclusions of the European Council of December 2013 and the assignments related to the military capabilities and industry. The EDA submitted the report on the progress made, as well as the draft proposals for the Policy Framework to foster more systematic and long term defence, which is expected to facilitate and enhance the co-operation of EU nations related to defence and capabilities development.

The section dedicated to the maritime security featured the presentation of the Joint Communication by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission titled „For an open and secure global maritime domain: elements for a European Union maritime security strategy” to the participants. Addressing the forum on this topic, Deputy Minister Tafra underlined the importance of the maritime component for Croatia and pledged support to the EU Maritime Security Strategy, which is expected to facilitate co-ordinated use of the available forces and of the adequate response to the present- day and future threats.

The ministers were briefed on the situation in the Central African Republic and on the current state of the EUFOR CAR operation.

In the final part of the meeting, discussing the situation in Ukraine, the ministers were joined by the NATO Secretary General Anders Rasmussen. Addressing the forum on the topics, Deputy Minister Tafra emphasised the security situation in Ukraine as highly challenging and calling for reinforced efforts to calm the situation and reach a diplomatic solution of the crisis.

On the margins of the Council, Deputy Minister Tafra signed the Letter of Intent concerning the EU Multinational Battlegroup, comprising Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Slovenia, whose stand-by period is planned for the first half of 2017.