Minister Buljević attends NATO Defence Ministers Meeting

The meeting was the last event preceding and preparing the topics for the Summit to be held in Warsaw a month later, in July, expected to yield important decisions for the future of the Alliance.
During the first meeting the ministers discussed the specific nuclear policy issues  with respect to the current security environment and adopted the recommendations for reinforcing NATO’s deterrence posture.
They agreed on the reinforcing  deterrence and defence across the Alliance, which is among the main topics on the Summit agenda, particularly regarding the strengthening of the eastern part of the Alliance, as one of the major conclusions of the forthcoming Summit.
The ministers also tackled other deterrence components (the implementation of Readiness Action Plan), the wider implications of the Russian nuclear strategy for NATO, cyber defence and preparedness of the civilian community.
During the working dinner the ministers exchanged the views on the practical ways of enhancing NATO-EU co-operation with respect to the upcoming summit, particularly in the area of cyber defence and projecting stability along the Alliance’s borders,  maritime safety and the partner countries’ capacity building.
At the session of NATO-Ukraine Commission the ministers addressed Ukraine’s progress with regard to the reform of the defence and the security sector that has been managed in close co-operation with the Alliance and agreed to boost NATO’s support with a Comprehensive Package of Assistance to help Ukraine strengthen its defences through  stronger security structures, to be approved during the Summit.
The meeting was concluded with the discussion on the projection of stability beyond the borders of the Alliance. The ministers decided on developing the recommendation for NATO training and capacity building in Iraq, pursuant to the request of Iraqi Government, and discussed on the providing of AWACS surveillance planes in support to the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL; they also analysed the effectiveness of NATO activity in the Aegean Sea and outlined future operation in Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan in 2017.
German Defence Capability Building Group (gathering 16 NATO nations, Croatia included, to upgrade the group’s capabilities and forces) held its meeting as well.
On the margins of the NATO ministerial Minister Buljević met with his Georgian counterpart Tinatin Khidasheli to exchange the views on the upcoming summit, the security situation in Europe and the adjacent areas and the proposals for enhanced defence co-operation.
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