PM says jet purchase to be analysed, discussed in parliament

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in the coastal town of Ploce on Thursday that the government was close to completing an analysis into why the planned purchase of multipurpose fighter jets from Israel had failed, adding that he believed the parliament, too, would discuss the matter.

The important thing is that this did not do any harm to our relations with the USA or Israel, cooperation in the field of defence with those two countries will continue, and cooperation with Israel will continue in the business sector as well, Plenkovic said during a visit to the local army barracks.

We'll present our interpretation of why deal fell through   

"The important thing is that our intentions were good, and we will present our impression as to why the deal did not happen during a parliamentary debate," the PM told reporters.

"A lot of information is being published. The only relevant thing is that Israel formally undertook to obtain permission for the transfer of the jets to the third party, in this case Croatia. The deal did not happen under the terms that were specified in the tender. We will learn lessons from this case and move on," Plenkovic said.

Army stationing in Ploce good security-wise

Plenkovic expressed satisfaction that army troops had been stationed also in Ploce at Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic's proposal.

That is good in terms of security and in terms of the army's contribution to civil institutions in preventing natural disasters, the PM said.

He added that he would inspect today the start of construction work on the Peljesac Bridge.

"We will see what we can do to improve transport connectivity, employment, business, waste management, environmental protection and budget- and EU-funded economic incentives (in this part of the country)," he said.

Krsticevic and Plenkovic visited the barracks of the 116th Croatian Army Brigade in Ploce, which was opened in 2018 and is used by a newly-established Croatian Navy unit, a seaborne company.

Text: Hina

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