ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - Ambassadors of NATO, the EU and neighbouring countries accredited in Croatia were briefed about strategies and legislation relating to national security and defence, which parliament recently adopted as an
important step in Croatia's rapprochement with NATO, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - Ambassadors of NATO, the EU and
neighbouring countries accredited in Croatia were briefed about
strategies and legislation relating to national security and
defence, which parliament recently adopted as an important step in
Croatia's rapprochement with NATO, the Foreign Ministry said in a
statement on Wednesday.#L#
The strategies and laws were presented by Foreign Minister Tonino
Picula, Defence Minister Jozo Rados, and the presidential adviser
on military and defence issues, Imra Agotic.
On March 19 parliament adopted strategies on national security and
defence, and laws on defence, military service, the participation
of Croatian troops in peace operations abroad, and on the
manufacturing, overhaul and trade of weapons and military
equipment.
Picula said the laws carried a special weight as they presented
Croatia as a responsible and capable member of the international
community, willing to contribute to collective security by
acknowledging the principles of inter-dependability and
cooperation among states, said the statement.
Picula said the majority of the political factors in Croatia
aspired to integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures
and that the new laws were adjusted to the realisation of this goal,
the statement added.
Defence Minister Rados acquainted the ambassadors with the plan for
the implementation of the adopted laws. Adviser Agotic announced
further steps in the reorganisation and modernisation of the Armed
Forces.
The representatives of the diplomatic corps congratulated the
government on the successful completion of the legal definition of
national security and defence.
"The adopted laws show Croatia's seriousness on the path to NATO,
while NATO members will gain a valuable insight into the presented
legislation ahead of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council meeting
in Reykjavik in May, which should decide on Croatia's inclusion
into the NATO Membership Action Plan," the Foreign Ministry
statement said.
(hina) ha