ZAGREB, Jan 31 (Hina) - It is Croatia's ambition to base its defence system on smaller but more modern and better equipped armed forces, Defence Minister Jozo Rados said at a government session on Thursday, at which the government
adopted bills and strategies which constitute the basis for a reform of the Croatian army. At today's session, which was also attended by President and Armed Forces' Supreme Commander Stjepan Mesic, the government adopted draft defence and national security strategies, a final defence bill, a bill on the Armed Forces, and three implementation bills - on the production, repair and transport of weapons and military equipment, on the participation of the Croatian Armed Forces in peace operations, and on changes to the Law on the Pension Insurance Rights of Active Military Personnel and Authorised Official Persons. The drafts definitely determine the reform of the Croatian a
ZAGREB, Jan 31 (Hina) - It is Croatia's ambition to base its defence
system on smaller but more modern and better equipped armed forces,
Defence Minister Jozo Rados said at a government session on
Thursday, at which the government adopted bills and strategies
which constitute the basis for a reform of the Croatian army.
At today's session, which was also attended by President and Armed
Forces' Supreme Commander Stjepan Mesic, the government adopted
draft defence and national security strategies, a final defence
bill, a bill on the Armed Forces, and three implementation bills -
on the production, repair and transport of weapons and military
equipment, on the participation of the Croatian Armed Forces in
peace operations, and on changes to the Law on the Pension Insurance
Rights of Active Military Personnel and Authorised Official
Persons.
The drafts definitely determine the reform of the Croatian army,
stressed Prime Minister Ivica Racan.
The new military system should consist of around 25,000 employees,
Rados said. If the parliament adopts the proposed documents in the
next couple of months, i.e. by the end of March, Croatia will have
fully met all requirements to apply for NATO membership, which
should happen by the end of this year, Rados said.
The minister dismisses claims that the documents have not been
adopted on time and that a delay in their adoption brings into
question Croatia's strategic international ambitions.
Presenting the new military system, Rados said it was an integrated
system with functions distributed among the highest institutions
of authority (the President of the State, the Parliament Speaker
and the Prime Minister).
The proposed documents regulate relations between the Defence
Ministry and the Main Staff and stress the role and a wider scope of
responsibilities and powers of the parliament in the adoption of
strategic documents and control.
Rados expects that in coming years expenses for the defence will be
reduced to 2.2% of Gross Domestic Product or less, which will be in
line with NATO criteria for countries in transition.
(hina) rml