ZAGREB, Sept 14 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic said on Saturday that she could not comment on the writing of papers that the Israeli offered to build a weapons factory in Croatia.
ZAGREB, Sept 14 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic
said on Saturday that she could not comment on the writing of papers
that the Israeli offered to build a weapons factory in Croatia. #L#
"Possibilities are open, but one should see whether Croatia has
interest in this," she said, adding that only then could she answer
the question more concretely.
Croatia is open and is becoming more open every day to bilateral
cooperation, seeking a best position in the production and trade of
weapons, But also open for various other possibilities, Antunovic
said.
When told by a reporter that talks with Israel mentioned the
modernisation of Croatia's aircraft MIG-21, for which an agreement
has already been signed with Romania's Aersotar, the minister said
Croatia had done everything to have the overhaul finally started
with Romanian partners. The Israeli spoke about their potential and
interest in some future jobs, she said.
"We still need to make some decisions first -- define the size of the
air force, and harmonise armed force branches, its weaponry and
equipment with NATO's standards. Only then can we be able to discuss
concrete jobs," Antunovic said. She added that it was good that
Israel and many other countries recognised a potential partner in
Croatia in this and other areas.
Asked about the need to rejuvenate the Croatian army so it would be
within NATO standards, Antunovic said it was no secret that the
Croatian army and its entire defence system had many problems,
including the too high average age of professional soldiers and
officers.
There are models according which may be applied, but young people
also need to recognise that the Croatian army is an honourable
section of the Croatian public system, and that they have
perspective in it. It needs highly educated young people who will
supplement their knowledge fro the civil sector with military know-
how, she said.
This, she added, would create conditions for Croatia to join the
democratic world, NATO and the European Union, through its armed
forces, which should facilitate the solving of many other problems
in the country.
(hina) lml