The Croatian Defence Council held its 6th meeting in Zagreb on Tuesday, under the chairmanship of President Ivo Josipovic, the supreme commander of the armed forces. The council, which was convened by agreement between President Josipovic and Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, confirmed that in the previous period crucial strategic decisions had been made regarding the modernisation and upgrading of the Armed Forces' capabilities including the final stage of the project concerning the combat armoured vehicles, as well as the combat resources of the MiG21 aircraft and MTV1 helicopters and the implementation of public procurement for coast guard vessels.
Defence Minister Ante Kotromanovic outlined the final draft of Strategic Defence Review which is likely to be put on the agenda of one of the coming government meetings.
The council was also informed that a long-term development plan for the Croatian Armed Forces was in the pipeline with efforts to be stepped up in the elaboration of pertinent documents.
The council pointed out that basic strategic documents should take into consideration not only the fact that Croatia is a full NATO and EU member but they also should take into account that a balanced development of the defence system's capabilities should be based on real and viable parameters including real economic and financial ability of the state.
Participants in today's council meeting agreed about further engagement of Croatia and its contingents in peace-keeping operations such as NATO-led ISAF in Afghanistan and KFOR in Kosovo as well as in the NATO-led operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan as of 2014.
