The Party of Rights (HSP) did not support the report. HSP deputy Pero Kovacevic said that too little had been done in the development of the defence system, that a defence plan as a strategic document had not been adopted, and that funds allocated to upgrade and equip the army were insufficient.
He criticised the government for undertaking activities regarding admission to NATO without the knowledge of the parliament, noting that parliamentary deputies had to go to Brussels for information on what was being done with regard to integration with NATO.
The ruling HDZ party said the report was objective and complete. Although the party is not satisfied with the situation in the Armed Forces, it respects the fact that the government has other priorities to finance, deputy Kresimir Cosic said, pointing to assessments by NATO experts on progress in the reform of the military in terms of management and organisation.
Deputies also discussed whether a referendum should be called on the country's admission to NATO.
The Peasant Party (HSS) said that a referendum should be called, the Social Democrats (SDP) said that a referendum may be organised although it was not envisaged by the Constitution, while the Istrian Democratic Party (IDS) believed that no government would organise a referendum on NATO membership regardless of public opinion.