Stoltenberg welcomed the fact that Croatia has stopped reductions to its defence spending and President Grabar-Kitarovic said that Croatia would begin increasing defence spending until it reaches 2% of GDP and stressed the importance of the structure of that spending.
"It truly is an investment as security into our own country, as security into the Alliance, but also it is an investment into innovation into technology," Grabar-Kitarovic said at a joint press conference after meeting with Stoltenberg.
Asked by reporters about the danger of the radicalisation of young people becoming Islamist fighters or committing terrorist attacks like the one a few days ago in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Grabar-Kitarovic said that Croatia was aware of potential threats of returning fighters and other radical elements in BiH.
"One of Croatia's security interests is to monitor the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, exchange information, work together with Bosnian forces and their intelligence sector, exchanging information about any fighters that return from Syria or Iraq and of course monitor where they are going and for the full implementation of the legislation they have enacted in terms of keeping these fighters under control. It is a threat that is on the increase but we need to remain vigilant, but there is no need for concerns in terms of general public. I believe that our security forces and our intelligence sector are doing a great job in keeping our country safe," she said.
Stoltenberg said that extremism is a global threat that knows no borders.
"It is a right for people to live in security and peace. And we saw that in the example of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a police station was attacked a few days ago and a policeman was killed and I condemn this attack. This is an act of terrorism and an act of violence," said Stoltenberg.
Stoltenberg and Grabar-Kitarovic addressed the issues of the enlargement of the Alliance. Grabar-Kitarovic underlined that she would like neighbouring countries in Southeast Europe to join NATO and to see Bosnia and Herzegovina enter MAP (Membership Action Plan) fully, to see an invitation extended to Montenegro certainly before the end of this year and that this will send very strong signals to other countries as well.
"Croatia is particularly interested in the open door policy, the policy of enlargement, as that extends the area of peace and security," the President said.
Stoltenberg said that no-one outside the Alliance can veto enlargement.
Speaking about Montenegro, Stoltenberg said that that decision would be made before the end of the year. "The decision is going to be taken by 28 allies and no-one else has the right to intervene. Every nation has the right to decide its path," he said.
The two leaders addressed the situation in Ukraine. Stoltenberg underscored that it is important that the ceasefire is respected and that Russia stops supporting the separatists that observance of the ceasefire is the foundation for a peaceful negotiated political solution to the crisis.
Grabar-Kitarovic underscored the importance of respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Stoltenberg said that the crisis in Ukraine, unrest and violence in the Middle East and North Africa were a challenge and NATO is responding by making NATO forces more ready, more prepared.
That is why the NATO Response Force is doubling its size from the present 13,000 to 30,000 troops that can be deployed within as little as 48 hours.
Stoltenberg started the press conference by welcoming President Grabar-Kitarovic back to NATO headquarters and wishing her a happy birthday.