On the occasion of the 12th anniversary of Croatia's admission to Nato, Defence Minister, Mario Banozic, stated on Thursday that his country proved to be a trustworthy and reliable ally and partner.

“Over these 12 years since it became a full member of Nato, Croatia has proven to be a trustworthy and reliable ally and partner,” the minister said in his message on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of Croatia’s entry into the alliance.

Croatia participates actively and on an equal footing in the alliance’s decision-making and its troops, together with troops from other member states, contribute to peace-building efforts worldwide, the minister said.

He recalled that membership of Nato was one of the two most important objectives in Croatia’s foreign policy.

“Croatia has thus become part of the strongest military and political alliance in the history of humankind. Therefore, Croatia’s security and stability is guaranteed not only by its own army but also by the armed forces of friendly countries from the Nato alliance,” Banozic said recalling that the journey to the full membership had been difficult and demanding after Croatia had won the war which had been imposed on it and after it had to develop its own armed forces.