Minister Kotromanović attended EU defence ministerial meeting

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the High Representative for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton, with the presence of NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

The ministerial meeting began with the session of the Steering Committee of the European Defence Agency (EDA) which discussed the progress on pooling and sharing projects and where ministers adopted Council Conclusions on Pooling and Sharing of Military Capabilities. Republic of Croatia did not participate in the meeting of the Steering Committee because it is not EDA member, however, EU members have approved to Croatia as a future member, participation on the upcoming meetings of the Steering Committee of the European Defence Agency.

In addition to the defence capabilities, during the meeting, ministers discussed the current situation in the EU operations on the Horn of Africa (Atalanta and EUTM Somalia) and the EU operation in Southeast Europe EUFOR Althea in BH and EULEX in Kosovo.

In terms of Atalanta operation ministers welcomed the progress in implementing the tasks of the operation and the reduced scope and effectiveness of pirate attacks off the coast. The Ministers also welcomed the decision and the expected legal decision of the Council to extend the mandate until December 2014 and changes in OPLAN and in the rules of engagement which envisages expanding the area of ​​operation and extending the mandate of the operation. In terms of EU activities in the training of the Somali security forces, the progress was welcomed. In terms of the EU operation in Bosnia and Kosovo the progress in the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, and overall accomplishments of Operation ALTHEA were welcomed.

During the working lunch, ministers discussed changing of the strategic context and the impact of the U.S. strategic defence guidelines on European defence and development of the Common Security and Defence Policy.