Croatian and German foreign ministers discuss bolstering defense cooperation

Earlier this summer NATO allies reached a deal on setting a new defense spending target of 5% of GDP. The demand was originally raised by U.S. President Donald Trump and was subsequently confirmed by NATO leaders at a meeting in The Hague in late June.

Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman received his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Zagreb on Monday. The ministers discussed current global challenges facing Europe, as well as cooperation in bolstering defenses. After their meeting Minister Grlić Radman confirmed that the Croatia and Germany enjoy strong cooperation in the field of military industry: “We applaud the cooperation with our German partners in the vital project of the modernization of the Croatian Army's ground forces through the acquisition of new German Leopard SA8 tanks. As well as the pooling of knowledge of the Croatian and German defense industries, which can boost the development of European technological capacities. In that sense I would highlight one good example of cooperation between our Doking Company, and Germany's Rheinmetall.”

Also discussed was the process of EU enlargement, which has ground to a standstill in recent months. For his part, Wadephul argued that Croatia should play a key role in accelerating the enlargement of the European Union to the Western Balkans: “I see Croatia's role as an intermediary and mentor for certain countries. I have tried to explain that I see EU enlargement as a geostrategic necessity, and that simultaneously we must continue with internal reforms in the European Union, so that it can remain effective.”

Source: HRT