Minister Anušić meets with the U.S. Ambassador Nathalie Rayes

The meeting participants pointed out that the United States is Croatia’s most important strategic partner in the field of defence and security, and that the priorities of defence cooperation include the development of the CAF defence capabilities, joint contribution to and promotion of international security and stability in Southeast Europe.

Minister Anušić welcomed the U.S. Ambassador, Nathalie Rayes, who assumed this post in January 2024, congratulating her on this appointment.

“The United States is our strategic ally and the most important partner in the field of defence. My priority as a Defence Minister is to maintain and deepen our relations, and I am convinced that we will continue in this direction together,” the Minister said. He pointed out that bilateral defence cooperation is the basis of bilateral relations between Croatia and the United States, and that he will continue to develop the CAF capabilities during his term of office.

“I look forward to our dialogues in the future for the benefit of our countries, the stability of our region and NATO,” the Minister said.

At the meeting with the U.S. Ambassador, Minister Anušić emphasised the impact of global security conditions on the area of Southeast Europe.

The U.S. Ambassador, Nathalie Rayes said that the American side considers the Republic of Croatia to be a leader in Southeast Europe that shows other countries the way towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

“You have achieved enormous foreign policy and security goals. Croatia’s assistance to Ukraine is a good example of commitment to provide assistance to that country. The United States will always be with you,” she said.

The meeting participants also discussed the current projects of equipping the Croatian Armed Forces with Bradley combat vehicles and additional UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.

Along with the donation itself, the U.S. Government has also approved financial assistance for the purpose of the donation of Bradley combat vehicles. The first batch of these vehicles will be delivered to the Croatian Armed Forces in 2024, and the entire delivery will be carried out gradually over a three-year period.

As part of the plan for the development of the CAF helicopter component, and upon the request of the Croatian Government for the procurement of an additional eight helicopters, the U.S. State Department has recently approved the potential foreign military sale of the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters as well as associated equipment and services to the Croatian Government.