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Zagreb - The parliamentary Committee on Defence on Thursday adopted by a majority vote the Annual Report on Defence for 2021 by Minister Mario Banožić, which underlines the importance of investing in defence so as to respond to the new security environment resulting from geopolitical and geostrategic changes.
Banožić said that in 2021 priority was given to investment in soldiers' standard of living and work conditions and in the modenisation and equipping of the Croatian Army.
"The report underlines the importance of investing in defence so as to respond in a timely way to the new security environment resulting from geopolitical and geostrategic changes, both globally and in our neighbourhood," said Banožić.
Investment primarily refers to the purchase of the Rafale multipurpose fighter jets and the Bradley fighting vehicles, as well as the completion of projects related to the Navy and the future procurement of a short and medium-range air defence system.
Asked about the different views in the political arena on the possible training of Ukrainian soldiers in Croatia, Banožić said the government has a clear position on Ukrainians, who, he said, are going through the most difficult time.
"As for training activities, Croatian soldiers conduct them regularly with our allies and partners in different ways... The Croatian Army is ready for its activities and they will happen after the parliamentary procedure is finalised. That way we will act as a responsible EU member," he stressed.
Defence budget in 2021 HRK 7.2 billion
He added that the defence budget in 2021 amounted to around HRK 7.2 billion, whereby Croatia met NATO guidelines about budget defence allocations of 2% of GDP, of which 20% is intended for modernisation and equipment.
Banožić recalled the establishment of the "Dr. Franjo Tuđman" Defence and Security University last year.
"The Croatian Army demonstrated its readiness to help citizens and last year it provided assistance to the health sector in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the population of the Banovina region in removing the consequences of the (2020) earthquake. As an integral part of the homeland security system, it contributed to the successful implementation of the fire season 2021," he said.
As for international activities, the minister said that in 2021 Croatia continued participating actively in NATO, EU and UN peace support operations, missions and activities, with 643 members of its armed forces, including 48 women.
As part of NATO and EU committees and working bodies, Croatia actively participated in defining NATO's new Strategic Concept and the EU's Strategic Compass, one of the EU's most ambitious documents in the field of security and defence, whose drafting started during Croatia's presidency of the Council of the EU, Banožić said.