ZAGREB, Sept 25 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minsitry's officials and a US milatary delegation on Monday held their regular meeting to assess the defence ability of Croatia and consider the performance of the joint Croatian-U.S. military
exercise called 'PHILBEX. The Zagreb meeting revolved around first assessments and marks the United States' military team gave about Croatia's defence capability, and this is a part of procedure applied for any country interested in its admission to NATO, said Croatian Deputy Defence Minister Zlatko Gareljic after the session. Gareljic added that Croatia was the first country to be assessed in this field before it formally applied for the accession. The drafting of a study on Croatia's defence ability started in March, and a final report with recommendations and guidelines for the development of Croatia's defence ability in next ten years, is expected in December. "Our aim is
ZAGREB, Sept 25 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minsitry's officials and
a US milatary delegation on Monday held their regular meeting to
assess the defence ability of Croatia and consider the performance
of the joint Croatian-U.S. military exercise called 'PHILBEX.
The Zagreb meeting revolved around first assessments and marks the
United States' military team gave about Croatia's defence
capability, and this is a part of procedure applied for any country
interested in its admission to NATO, said Croatian Deputy Defence
Minister Zlatko Gareljic after the session.
Gareljic added that Croatia was the first country to be assessed in
this field before it formally applied for the accession.
The drafting of a study on Croatia's defence ability started in
March, and a final report with recommendations and guidelines for
the development of Croatia's defence ability in next ten years, is
expected in December.
"Our aim is to get clearer and precise presentation of the state of
the Croatian armed forces," Deputy Defence Minister said.
Pointing to the importance of the US-Croatian bilateral programme,
the US team's head, Major General Joseph Garret voiced satisfaction
with the talks its team had led with Croatia's Defence Ministry and
the Army headquarters representatives, during its stay in
Croatia.
Commenting on the importance of the 25-29 September 'PHILBEX' show
which is taking place in the local waters of Sibenik and Split,
Gereljic described every military exercise with the US partner as a
step further in Croatia's bids to come closer to NATO standards.
Asked by reporters whether the Croatian Army lifted a level of
security and preparedness owing to possible unrest in the
neighbouring Yugoslavia in the wake of Sunday's elections,
Croatian Major General Damir Krsticevic responded that no
additional measures had been taken by the army.
The US delegation is to be received by the Croatian Army's
headquarters chief-of-staff, General Petar Stipetic, later in the
day.
(hina) ms