Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic on Thursday visited the 4th contingent of Croatian troops deployed as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence mission in Poland.

The participation of the Croatian troops in this mission is helping them increase their skills in exercises with troops from other participating countries, Plenkovic said during the visit to the Bermowo Piskie base, about 70 kilometres from the Russian and Lithuanian border.

The 79 Croatian troops, under the command of Major Predrag Srdjenovic, are attached to a battle group comprising US, British, Romanian and Polish troops.

“I am particularly glad to hear that the Croatian soldiers are cooperating well not only with their partners but that they are also well integrated and are maintaining good communication with Polish people in this part of the country,” Plenkovic said.

Minister Krsticevic said that Croatia and Poland are friends and strategic partners who have excellent cooperation in defence.

“With this operation, the Croatian soldiers are strengthening their capabilities and interoperability, which makes the Croatian army even better and stronger,” Krsticevic said.

Major Srdjenovic said that his men have a very positive experience in Poland. “We are recognised as reliable partners and professionals. Local Poles like us and we cooperate with other partners,” he said.