Croatian Defence Minister, Mario Banozic, had attended a video conference of NATO defence ministers held on 17-18 February, state agency Hina reported on Friday citing a Defence Ministry press release.

According to the press release, the ministers discussed “a set of proposals from the NATO 2030 initiative aimed at keeping the alliance strong militarily, improving political coordination among the allies and making the alliance more global. Also discussed was fairer burden-sharing, and deterrence and defence.”

A separate session on common security challenges was held with partner countries Finland and Sweden and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, Hina said.

The second day of the meeting focused on NATO peace missions and operations, “with an emphasis on Afghanistan and Iraq.”

“It was noted that the European member states and Canada have been increasing their defence spending for the seventh year in a row. The allies reaffirmed their commitment to further investment in key capabilities as well as their contribution to troop deployment for NATO missions and operations,” Hina reported.

The ministers also spoke of the role of armed forces in helping civilian institutions in combating the coronavirus pandemic.

Banozic thanked NATO countries for their assistance following a devastating earthquake that struck the Banija region of central Croatia on 29 December. He stressed the importance of solidarity among the allies as one of the most important common values, especially in crisis situations.

Banozic welcomed the “restoration of transatlantic ties as the foundation of European security and defence,” supporting the proposals for strengthening alliance unity and solidarity and the need to improve political consultations and coordination between member states.

Banozic underscored Croatia’s contribution to NATO missions and operations, citing its continued involvement in the Iraq mission, the planned increase of Croatian participation in Operation KFOR, further participation in Operation Sea Guardian and in NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Poland this year and in Lithuania in the coming period. He also mentioned the start of Croatia’s participation in Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 with a team of divers on an Italian Navy ship.

Banozic said that Croatia was also actively contributing to global security outside NATO by participating in two EU-led operations and three UN-led ones.