The ministers discussed co-operation between the two countries and stated the intent to intensify the co-operation in defence and security, especially within the context of new European defence initiatives. They emphasised that the European Multiannual Financial Framework allocated seven billion EUR for the European Defence Fund, which the Croatian side valued as an opportunity for co-operation between French and Croatian companies. “France can certainly help with its experience to ensure the access for Croatian companies to the European programme for the development of the defence industry”, said Minister Bano\u017ei\u0107.<\/p>\n
“The Republic of Croatia sees the French Republic as strong ally with whom we have been developing bilateral relations based on trust for years,” said Minister Bano\u017ei\u0107, and expressed appreciation for France\u2019s support to Croatia during the accession to NATO and to the EU and later during the preparations for the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
\nRegarding the pandemic, the Minister assessed that 2020 was full of challenges, with economic impact and significant state budget reductions in for the year 2021, as in most EU member states. The Croatian Government headed by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovi\u0107 overcame the challenges and maintained the incepted projects and activities through timely measures and good governance. The Minister pointed out that the Republic of Croatia allocated the respective funds for defence purposes for the year 2021 and that he would attend to the continuation of the key projects of modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces.<\/p>\n