Homeland Security Council claims that security situation in Croatia is stable.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević said that on Tuesday evening a session of the Homeland Security Council was held. The main reason for the meeting were the recent terrorist attack in Berlin and the security situation ahead of Christmas and New Year holidays. Krstičević said that Croatian security services were cooperating with each other and with their international partners, reports Večernji List on December 21, 2016.
“We had just held a session of the Homeland Security Council, and two days ago we had a meeting of the Council for Coordination of Security Intelligence Services. We have discussed the state of security in the country ahead of the upcoming holiday season”, said Minister Krstičević in an interview.
He pointed out that Croatia was at the moment safe and stable country, but added that all recent events demonstrated that it was necessary to work on all strategic documents whose drafting process had been launched by the government. These are the new National Security Strategy and further development of the existing security system. “We want to have a system that will have the ability to anticipate and recognize threats and risks faced by today’s societies”, he said.
Asked if Croatia was operationally involved in the exchange of security information, Deputy Prime Minister Krstičević said that Croatian security and police services were fully cooperating with their international partners.
“We are working on linking all institutions which deal with security. It is very important to have cooperation with neighbouring countries, with NATO countries and member states of the European Union. As we can see, threats move from territory of one country to the other, from one state to the other. Therefore, it is important that we operate in coordination and with synergy. In this way, we can reduce the vulnerability of our society”, said Krstičević.
Asked to comment on information about a large number of returning fighters from the Middle East to neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, Krstičević said that these fighters exist and that some of them are returning to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Our services are actively monitoring that process, and the Bosnian authorities are also working on that. Our task is to guarantee the safety of people in Croatia. I believe that our security system can be faster, better and more ready”, concluded Krstičević.
