The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament \u017deljko Reiner emphasised that co-operation and consensus were NATO’s principal habits and a key to lasting solutions for possible security threats. <\/p>\n
“The international community is today faced with one of the most challenging periods in its recent history. We are exposed to threats to the global security on a daily basis. Croatia and the Allies have to do their utmost to protect its citizens. Our country is recognised in NATO as one of the main advocates of collective security\u201c. <\/p>\n
“We are marking the 7th Anniversary of NATO membership, which is a short period compared to other member nations, but in my view\u00a0 we have made a huge progress\u201c, said the Defence Minister (representing the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia). Croatia undertook and completed a series of defence reforms within a short time span. Its Armed Forces are small, flexible and capable of responding to the current and future challenges alongside the partners in NATO “which is the main guarantee of security and freedom; NATO is the strongest and a unique politico-military organisation of global range and the sole one to possess the resources, the know-how and the capabilities for effective deterrence and resistance to new security threats. Hence the importance of NATO membership. The Minister also welcomed the prospective entry of Montenegro and reiterated the support from Croatia for the Euro-Atlantic integration of all aspiring countries of southeast Europe. He concluded by expressing the commitment of Croatia to remain a responsible member who will continue to fulfill its responsibilities in providing the peace, democracy and other advocated and shared values jointly with its partners within NATO. <\/p>\n
The Envoy of the President of the Republic, Maja \u010cavlovi\u0107 reminded of the brief period from the independence to the membership in NATO and the EU. “Following the successful defence from the aggression the Croatian military continued to lead the transition processes and the adoption of NATO standards. Our lasting imperative is to invest continuously into the defence and national security system\u201c. <\/p>\n
Ms \u010cavlovi\u0107 also highlighted the importance of collective security and asserted that the new asymmetrical threats called for a comprehensive approach and a new level of consultations and co-operation between NATO and the partner nations and the international organisations respectively.Croatia is faced with the process of the reviewing and considering the extension to the existing national security arrangements and of the establishment of the unified system of Homeland security. <\/p>\n
The Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mirko \u0160undov extended appreciation to all who contributed to the realisation of the strategic goal for the Republic of Croatia and emphasised that\u00a0 membership in NATO was a lasting solution of its security. Referring to the collective security, common goals and readiness of the Alliance members, Lieutenant General \u0160undov reviewed NATO \u2013led operations which engaged the Armed Forces, namely ISAF Operation succeded by Resolute Support in Afghanistan and KFOR in Kosovo. Addressing the impact of NATO membership\u00a0 on the development and reforms in the Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. \u0160undov highlighted the achievements, namely the\u00a0 fulfilled criteria for membership and standards of development comparable to those of other member nations.\u00a0
“The Croatian Armed Forces will continue to develop as a modern, well-equipped and trained force\u00a0 interoperable with the Allied and partner forces; and they will be the principal\u00a0 institution to create secure and stable environment for the Republic of Croatia” concluded Lieutenant General \u0160undov. <\/p>\n
The Secretary General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly David Hobbs delivered a lecture on \u201eThe role and mission of NATO Parliamentary Assembly in the context of the response to the security threats of the 21st century\u201c and the Croatian Permanent Representative to NATO, Amb. Boris Grigi\u0107 updated the visitors on \u201cNATO priorities in the light of the forthcoming\u00a0 Warsaw Summit\u201c.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n
The marking of the 7th Anniversary of the entry of the Republic of Croatia to NATO featured the presentation of the experiences from the international missions and operations by Brigadier General\u00a0 Gordana Gara\u0161i\u0107, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Kri\u017eanec, Sergeant Major Dominik Ban and 1st Sergeant\u00a0 Sanja Kevo.<\/p>\n
The Head of the Croatian parliamentary delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly,\u00a0 Damir Krsti\u010devi\u0107 in his key-note address underscored that Croatia’s entry to NATO definitely confirmed its values and maturity and that collective security was the only logical option to pursue, and that all institutions had to adjust to new security threats.
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