Minister Anušić from The Hague: “A key decision has been made to increase defence spending”

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić participated today, 25 June 2025, in meetings as part of the NATO summit in The Hague.

Important decisions were made at the summit, Minister Anušić said in a statement to the media on this occasion, stressing: “A major decision was unanimously made after today’s conclusion of the NATO summit to increase defence spending to a total of 5% of gross domestic product, or 3.5% plus an additional 1.5% by 2035. This decision represents an important step towards enhancing NATO’s and the European Union’s security and defence capacities.”

The Minister specifically underlined the significance of effective financial management while warning of the serious problem of rising prices for military equipment and weapons. In response to enquiries from reporters, he stated that there are three ways to ensure the effectiveness of investments in this situation: First, it is a NATO agreement to influence the defence sector. Second, in order to manufacture its own weapons and equipment, each nation must advance its own skills, expertise, and technology. Croatia will thus manufacture some of its own weapons and equipment as well. Third, searching for more advantageous possibilities outside of Europe, such as in South Korea or India, where delivery is quick and prices are still reasonable.

The Minister also stated that Croatia continues to be committed to the objectives of the NATO Alliance and that, as a responsible member of NATO and the European Union, it will fulfil its obligation to make investments in defence and security while safeguarding the interests of Croatian citizens through transparent and sensible management of funds.

“European security must originate within. We can’t count on someone on the other side of the Atlantic to protect us at all times. It is time to take responsibility,” concluded Minister Anušić.

The Hague Summit Declaration

The final declaration, unanimously adopted by the leaders of NATO’s 32 member states, stated: “United in the face of profound security threats and challenges, in particular the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security and the persistent threat of terrorism, Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence-and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations, in accordance with Article 3 of the Washington Treaty.”

“We have gathered here to reaffirm our commitment to NATO, the strongest Alliance in history, and to the transatlantic bond. We reaffirm our ironclad commitment to collective defence as enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty – that an attack on one is an attack on all. We remain united and steadfast in our resolve to protect our one billion citizens, defend the Alliance, and safeguard our freedom and democracy.”

“Allies agree that this 5% commitment will comprise two essential categories of defence investment. Allies will allocate at least 3.5% of GDP annually based on the agreed definition of NATO defence expenditure by 2035 to resource core defence requirements, and to meet the NATO Capability Targets. And Allies will account for up to 1.5% of GDP annually to inter alia protect our critical infrastructure, ensure our civil preparedness and resilience, unleash innovation, and strengthen our defence industrial base.”

“Allies reaffirm their enduring sovereign commitments to provide support to Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours, and, to this end, will include direct contributions towards Ukraine’s defence and its defence industry when calculating Allies’ defence spending.”

In the end, it was agreed that the next NATO summit would be held in Turkey in 2026 followed by a meeting in Albania.