Amendments on compulsory military service forwarded to parliament

Seventeen years after abolishing mandatory military service, the government continues to move forward with its re-introduction. 

Final amendments to the Law on Defense and Service in the Armed Forces were forwarded into parliamentary procedure on Friday.

"Basic military training will last two months and will be conducted at three locations, Knin, Slunj and Požega, with a maximum of five generations of 800 conscripts per year. Citizens who, for religious or moral reasons, do not want to undergo military training can file as conscientious objectors and they will work in Civil Protection and units of local self-government," explained Defense Minister Ivan Anušić at today's cabinet session.

Service within the Civil Protection apparatus will last three months, while work in units of local self-government will last four months.

Conscripts will earn roughly 1,100 euros per month and their two months in training will also be calculated towards their pensions.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said Croatia would receive funds from the EU's new SAFE program, to finance strengthening overall defense capabilities.

"Croatia will tentatively receive 1.7 billion euros from the SAFE instrument, which is definitely important and is in line with our long-term strategy to develop our armed forces, and the meeting of targets we have set for the coming years in terms allocating 3.5% of GDP on defense by 2035, and another 1.5% in defense related activities," said Plenković.