Parliamentary defence committee chair: Croatia to be free of landmines by 2026

Zagreb - The chairman of the parliamentary committee on defence, Franko Vidović, said on Tuesday that the committee had endorsed the 2026 national programme on mine clearance whereby Croatia is expected to become free of landmines by 2026.

The total cost of the programme is put at HRK 1.7 billion (€227 million).

The committee also gave its consent for the procurement of a Role 2B field hospital, and a half of the necessary funds for this purpose would be covered by a U.S. donation, while the remaining sum will be disbursed from the state budget over the years, Vidović explained.

He said that this type of hospital would boost the capacities of the Croatian army for providing assistance when necessary. In this context the parliamentarian mentioned the army's engagement in setting up makeshift hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee okayed plans for the continuation of the engagement of Croatian troops in peace missions in Kosovo and Somalia.