Minister Anušić: Turkey is our ally in Southeast Europe, we also want stronger defence cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić and the Chief of the CAF General Staff LTG Tihomir Kundid are on an official visit to the Republic of Turkey. Today, they met with Minister Yaşar Güler at the Ministry of National Defence in Ankara.

“In addition to traditionally good bilateral relations with the Republic of Turkey, we also want to intensify cooperation in the field of defence industry. In a situation of deteriorated security circumstances and increased equipping and modernization of the Croatian Army, we must additionally develop and strengthen the defence industry in Croatia, and Turkish investments can help us in this, which are more than welcome. “In the light of new geopolitical relations, we are aware that the cards are now divided differently and that Croatia, due to its position in southeastern Europe, its proximity to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, must strengthen its alliances and cooperation with partners. Turkey’s influence on Bosnia and Herzegovina, through Operation Althea, but also on Kosovo through participation in KFOR, within the new security conditions is very important because in the event of noticeable instability, it could also be reflected on Croatia,” Minister Anušić said.

He added that we are already cooperating with Turkish companies: both when it comes to the procurement of six Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles, and when it comes to Aselsan weapon stations with which the coastal patrol vessels of the Croatian Navy are equipped with. Even stronger cooperation in the field of the defence industry and Turkish investments in military production in Croatia can contribute to development of the Croatian defence industry.

General Kundid emphasized that the participation of the Republic of Turkey in the KFOR and Althea operations, and Croatia’s participation in KFOR, contribute to stability in Southeast Europe, and peace and stability there are crucial for Croatia.

Therefore, Turkey and Croatia jointly participate in the peace support operation in Kosovo – KFOR, NATO mission in Iraq, the Operation Sea Guardian in the Mediterranean, battle groups in Hungary and Bulgaria, and UNIFIL in Lebanon.

Today, the delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia visited the Special Forces Command in Turkey, as well as the companies Aselsan and MKE, leading Turkish companies in the field of defence industry.