- Published: 23.02.2018.
PM Plenkovic: The role of Croatia in preserving stability and security in the region is important
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in Brussels on Thursday that decision on the procurement of combat jets would be made next week.
The process is nearing its end, we have examined all the bids that arrived and in the next few weeks the decision will be announced, Plenkovic told a press conference after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
"That is a long-term strategic decision that will position Croatia as an even more reliable NATO partner" and will strengthen our security and resolve the issue of Croatia's air force for the next 30 years, he added.
This is the first time Plenkovic has visited NATO headquarters in Brussels in his capacity as the premier. Both officials described the talks as fruitful and constructive.
Stoltenberg underscored Croatia's contributions to NATO missions in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Lithuania and Poland. He also welcomed the fact that Croatia has stopped the cuts in defence spending and has now started to increase investments in defence. Stoltenberg said that he valued Croatia's support for Ukraine.
Plenkovic informed Stoltenberg on the situation in Croatia's neighbourhood and expressed hope that Greece and Macedonia will soon resolve their dispute over Macedonia's name so that it can become a member of NATO.
Croatia wishes to resolve all outstanding issues with countries in the neighbourhood which have existed since the 1990s. We wish to contribute to stability, equality of all three peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly of the Croats who are the least numerous people and who have to be equal with regard to constitutional rights, even more so as the election in October is drawing closer, he said.
We also wish to strengthen relations with Serbia and we are carefully following how the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo is unfolding, he added.
Stoltenberg said that he had informed Plenkovic of developments in the region and in each country, particularly those that are NATO members.
He mentioned that Russia's meddling in internal political processes in the region was unacceptable.
Text: Hina
Photo: NATO