Minister Anušić at the jubilee 60th Munich Security Conference
The key foreign policy and security challenges of the present time in the field of international order and global and regional security are being discussed at the conference again this year
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, as part of the delegation of the Government of the Republic of Croatia led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, is participating in the jubilee 60th Munich Security Conference, which is held from 16 to 18 February 2024.
The key foreign policy and security challenges of the present time in the field of international order and global and regional security, including, among other things, the fight against disinformation and corruption, the management of global migration movements, the future of Ukraine and the transatlantic partnership, a sustainable plan for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and about the security of the Western Balkans are being discussed at this years’ conference as well.
On the margins of the Munich Conference, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić met with the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany Siemtje Möller, with the Special Envoy of the Government of the United Kingdom for the Western Balkans Lord Stuart Peach and with the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto. Also, the delegation of the Croatian MoD met with Ukrainian war veterans, representatives of the “Message from the Frontline” Initiative.
The Ministry of Defence delegation with Ukrainian war veterans in Munich
The delegation of the Croatian MoD discussed with Ukrainian war veterans, who became a symbol of courage in the Ukrainian struggle for freedom, the current situation in Ukraine, their war experiences and Croatian experiences from the Homeland War. The meeting was attended by Yuliia Paievska, Hlib Stryzhko, Oleksandr Batalov, Liudmyla Meniuk and Yehor Firsov. Considering the experience of the Croatian veterans in the Homeland War, the Croatian side expressed full understanding and solidarity with the Ukrainian veterans in their struggle for liberation from Russian aggression.
Minister Anušić said that Croatia understands Ukraine very well because it passed through the devastation of war. He spoke about caring for war veterans and how each veteran requires an individual approach.
It was emphasized that Croatia will continue to provide assistance and firm support to the Ukrainian people in accordance with its capabilities, as long as it is necessary.
Minister Anušić said that Ukraine is currently fighting for European values and that assistance has to be rendered further on in every sense. “Ukraine will continue to have full support of the Republic of Croatia.” NATO support to Ukraine is an investment in its own security and an example of true Transatlantic burden sharing,” the Minister said. The Ukrainian side expressed its gratitude for the support and help that the Republic of Croatia has provided so far.
Intensification of the bilateral cooperation between Croatia and Germany
At the meeting with the State Secretary of the German Ministry of Defence, Siemtje Möller, the diversified connection between the two countries, which share many common interests and goals was highlighted, from German support to Croatia in 1991 and during the Homeland War to the current common interest in the security situation in SE Europe.
Minister Anušić with the Special Envoy of the Government of the United Kingdom for the Western Balkans, Lord Stuart Peach
At the meeting of Minister Anušić with the Special Envoy of the Government of the United Kingdom for the Western Balkans, current security challenges were discussed with a focus on the situation in SE Europe. It was pointed out that Croatia strongly and consistently supports the Euro-Atlantic perspective of the countries of SE Europe and that it particularly values the contribution of the United Kingdom in the KFOR operation.
Minister Anušić with Borjana Krišto: We welcome all positive developments related to Bosnia and Herzegovina
At the meeting with the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto, a rich and solid bilateral defence cooperation was confirmed, especially in the field of training members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and cadets in the Republic of Croatia, as well as various types of joint training and exercises, the development of defence capabilities and the strengthening of information exchange in order to providing quick response to natural disasters.
