Minister Anušić Meets with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Grynkewich
The Presence of the International Community in Kosovo Is Key to Stability in This Part of Europe, Says the Minister of Defence
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić met today at the Ministry of Defence with Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and Commander of the United States European Command, General Alexus G. Grynkewich.
During the meeting, Minister Anušić and General Grynkewich discussed the key takeaways from the NATO Summit in Ankara, the modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces, the security situation in Southeast Europe, and continued support for Ukraine.
Minister Anušić emphasised that the United States is Croatia’s most important strategic partner in defence and security, highlighting that the U.S. government makes a significant contribution toward enhancing Croatia’s defence capabilities. He added that Croatia remains firmly committed to modernising and equipping the Croatian Armed Forces, as well as increasing defence spending.
Last year, Croatia allocated 2.10 per cent of its GDP to defence, with 34 per cent of that amount dedicated to modernisation and procurement. The country aims to increase its defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030 and to 3.5 per cent by 2035. Croatia has already reached – and even exceeded – the target of allocating 1.5 per cent of GDP to defence-related investments this year, currently reaching 1.89 per cent.
During the meeting, Minister Anušić placed particular emphasis on the importance of the international community’s presence in Southeast Europe, specifically within Kosovo.
“We consider the presence of international forces in Kosovo through the KFOR peace support operation to be the key to stability and security in this part of Europe,” Minister Anušić stated.
Addressing NATO’s recent announcement regarding adjustments to the scale of the KFOR mission, Minister Anušić noted that Croatia is interested in maintaining its current troop contribution to KFOR and, if necessary, increasing it. Croatia currently has 152 members of the Croatian Armed Forces deployed in the peace support operation. Under the mandate of the Croatian Parliament, this number may be increased to a maximum of 200 personnel for 2026.
Turning to the security situation in Croatia’s immediate neighbourhood, Minister Anušić once again warned that the Republic of Serbia possesses Chinese-made hypersonic missiles. He also recalled that Prime Minister Andrej Plenković had informed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in writing several months ago about this offensive weapons system.
Over the past month, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alexus G. Grynkewich has been visiting countries across South-east Europe. He visited Croatia at the invitation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid.
During their meeting, General Grynkewich and Lieutenant General Kundid discussed regional stability, the modernisation plans of the Croatian Armed Forces, and NATO Capability Targets.
