ZAGREB, February 23, 2018 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said in Brussels on Thursday that decision on the procurement of combat jets would be made in the next few weeks. The process is nearing its end, we have examined all the bids that have arrived and in the next few weeks the decision will be announced, Plenković told a press conference after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
"That is a long-term strategic decision that will position Croatia as an even more reliable NATO partner" and will strengthen our security and resolve the issue of Croatia's air force for the next 30 years, he added.
This is the first time Plenković has visited NATO headquarters in Brussels as the prime minister. Both officials described the talks as fruitful and constructive.
Stoltenberg underscored Croatia's contributions to NATO missions in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Lithuania and Poland. He also welcomed the fact that Croatia has stopped the cuts in defence spending and has now started to increase investments in defence. Stoltenberg said that he valued Croatia's support for Ukraine.
Plenković informed Stoltenberg about the situation in Croatia's neighbourhood and expressed hope that Greece and Macedonia would soon resolve their dispute over Macedonia's name so that it can become a member of NATO.
Croatia wishes to resolve all outstanding issues with countries in the neighbourhood which have existed since the 1990s. We wish to contribute to stability, equality of all three peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly of the Croats who are the least numerous people and who have to be equal with regard to constitutional rights, even more so as the election in October is drawing closer, he said. We also wish to strengthen relations with Serbia and we are carefully following how the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo is unfolding, he added.
Stoltenberg said that he had informed Plenković of developments in the region and in each country, particularly those that are NATO members. He mentioned that Russia's meddling in internal political processes in the region was unacceptable.
