Croatian President Ivo Josipovic met in Kabul on Friday with General David Petraeus, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, who commended the professionalism and competence of Croatian soldiers and thanked Croatia for its decision to increase the number of its troops in Afghanistan.
General Petraeus informed President Josipovic, who on Friday started an official visit to Afghanistan, about the military and security situation and ISAF's activities aimed at improving the security situation in that country, plagued by war and insurgency.
ISAF, a UN-mandated international mission commanded by NATO, includes 334 Croatian soldiers. In December 2010, the Croatian parliament decided that their number could be increased to 350 in 2011 and 2012.
President Josipovic also met with NATO Senior Civil Representative Mark Sedwill, with whom he discussed the political situation in Afghanistan and projects the international community was implementing there to improve living conditions in the country.
Even though there are numerous political problems, one of the biggest being corruption, great attention is being paid to work with local communities, education and health.
Josipovic underlined the contribution Croatia has given so far to development projects, both on its own and within the UN Development Programme.
Croatia is involved in 23 development projects worth US$ 1.1 million, some Croatian companies have already won contracts to build infrastructure and roads in Afghanistan, and last July the Croatian Chamber of Commerce opened its office in Kabul.
Josipovic, the first Croatian president to visit Afghanistan and Croatian troops serving there, was also expected to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai and visit members of the Croatian contingent.
