ZAGREB, Nov 20 (Hina) - With soon to be passed packet of military laws and already begun reforms Croatia should be decreasing the distance between it and countries who are officially candidates for entry into NATO, representatives of
the Croatian Defence Ministry, Foreign Ministry and President's Office agreed with NATO officials during talks in Brussels on Monday. By 2005 Croatia should have 25,000 professional soldiers and 1,200 employees of the defence ministry, while at the moment there are 42,000 employees. NATO leaders have supported reform actions undertaken by Croatia to create an army with less manpower, but better equipped and trained. Projects for the care of surplus employees are being prepared with the assistance of NATO's experts, and the NATO will be recommending the World Bank to grant Croatia a loan for the retraining of soldiers. Members of the Croatian delegation, headed by Deputy Defence Minist
ZAGREB, Nov 20 (Hina) - With soon to be passed packet of military
laws and already begun reforms Croatia should be decreasing the
distance between it and countries who are officially candidates for
entry into NATO, representatives of the Croatian Defence Ministry,
Foreign Ministry and President's Office agreed with NATO officials
during talks in Brussels on Monday.
By 2005 Croatia should have 25,000 professional soldiers and 1,200
employees of the defence ministry, while at the moment there are
42,000 employees.
NATO leaders have supported reform actions undertaken by Croatia to
create an army with less manpower, but better equipped and
trained.
Projects for the care of surplus employees are being prepared with
the assistance of NATO's experts, and the NATO will be recommending
the World Bank to grant Croatia a loan for the retraining of
soldiers.
Members of the Croatian delegation, headed by Deputy Defence
Minister Zlatko Gareljic, announced that next spring Croatia would
be ready to officially join candidate countries for membership in
NATO.
(hina) lml