ZAGREB, March 25 (Hina) - A NATO team of experts has assessed a Croatian care programme for surplus labour at the Defence Ministry and the Armed Forces as very professional and planned according to NATO criteria. Over the next few
years, the programme will cover 13,000 people, costing 1.5 billion kuna (EUR203 million).
ZAGREB, March 25 (Hina) - A NATO team of experts has assessed a
Croatian care programme for surplus labour at the Defence Ministry
and the Armed Forces as very professional and planned according to
NATO criteria. Over the next few years, the programme will cover
13,000 people, costing 1.5 billion kuna (EUR203 million).#L#
Talking to reporters after meeting the NATO delegation on Monday,
Defence Minister Jozo Rados said Croatia expected the team would
officially recommend the programme in a few weeks' time, with
implementation to follow soon after.
The programme would be financed by the Stability Pact for South
Eastern Europe, the World Bank, and the Croatian government, said
Rados. Implementation should involve all relevant ministries and
other state institutions, including the recently established
development and employment funds.
A step forward has been made with Croatia today, said Michel Duray,
chairman of NATO's expert team for the economic transition of
former military personnel.
Duray said the reform of the defence system should not be looked
upon with a loser's but an entrepreneurial mentality. The social
adaptation of former military officials is potentially beneficial
for the economy, he added.
Minister Rados said the programme, on which NATO and Croatian
Defence Ministry experts worked for the past year, would be complex
and difficult. It is, however, inevitable for any country wishing
to join contemporary security processes, he added.
This programme will eventually strengthen Croatia's defence and
economy, said Rados. He added he would request the Stability Pact's
support for the conversion of formerly military facilities for
social and economic purposes.
Journalists inquired about Croatian Democratic Union president Ivo
Sanader's announcement that he would request Rados' resignation in
parliament due to the defence minister's statement that the
Croatian army was not ready for an attack from outside. Rados said
the matter was being blown out of proportion and represented the
political promotion of those unwilling to understand what he said.
There was nothing contentious in my statement, said Rados, adding
he was willing to speak about it in parliament.
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