Commenting on some opposition MPs' remarks that the defence ministry was late in compiling and presenting the report, Berislav Roncevic said it was not realistic to expect of a minister who took office earlier this year to be quick in compiling the report.
"The report is about the situation which was in the armed forces last year, and it was not alarming as some media have interpreted," the minister said, adding that the Croatian army "can fulfil its obligation to defend the country's sovereignty".
Responding to a claim by Jozo Rados of Libra that the ministry did not plan to downsize the military this year, which he interpreted as the scrapping of further plans for the army's modernisation, Roncevic said that this year 3,097 persons were laid off and his ministry had paid severance funds in 3,900 cases.
"By early 2006, it is envisaged that the active armed forces will consist of 18,000 people," Roncevic said.
Asked by reporters when he expected the full accomplishment of the objective of the army's modernisation, Roncevic answered that he would be "satisfied if this happened in 2015".
Responding to claims by former defence minister Rados that this year's budget provided less funds for the military's material spending, Roncevic said more funds were provided for the modernisation, while spending would be cut as regards overhead expanses.