Croatia’s International Defen c e Cooperation Overview SEEC Conference, Skopje 2005

1. Republic of Croatia Ministry of Defence Croatia’s International DefenceCooperation OverviewSEEC Conference, Skopje 2005 International Defence Cooperation Department June 2005

2. Overview • National Security and Defense Policy • International Engagement • Bilateral, Multilateral, Regional Initiatives, Arms Control, PSO/PKO • Future Challenges • Requirements and proposals for cooperation

3. National Security & Defense Policy National Interests • Sovereignity, independence and territorial integrity • Democracy, democratic principles & rule of law • Economic and social well-being of all citizens • Peaceful and secure international surroundings • Protection of ecological environment • Promotion of cultural and national identity • Croatia’s National Security Strategy (2002)

4. National Security & Defense Policy Basic Policy Orientation • NATO & EU integration (including ESDI/ESDP) • Relations with neighbours & regional cooperation • Participation in respective international organizations • Arms control & CSBMs • Active contributions to international peace & security (PSO/PKO, Humanitarian OPS, etc.) • Self-defense capabilities • Internal security efforts • Croatia’s National Security Strategy (2002)

5. International Engagement Arms Control Bilateral Relations PSO/PKO & Hum. Ops. InternationalPeace, Stability & Security Common Actions CSBMs Multinational Formations Regional Initiatives Multilateral Relations

6. International Engagement Bilateral Defense Relations • Promotes cooperation, understanding & trust (transparency) • Builds friendships and long-term ties/relationships • Priority on neighbours & region, NATO& EU countries & strategic partners • Military attaches • 15 MA/27 countries • 31 MA accredited in Zagreb

7. International Engagement Multilateral Organizations UN PfP OSCE EU NATO Croatia is a member of: UN, OSCE, EAPC/PfP, Council of Europe

8. International Engagement North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) • Most effective international mechanism for promoting Croatia’s national interests • Article V security guarantees • Cooperative security mechanism • Security community (norms, ideals & values) • Strengthens capabilities • Economic dimension • Public & political support

9. International Engagement NATO & Partnership for Peace (PfP) • PfP - best international mechanism for promoting Croatia’s security & foreign policy at the moment • Interoperability with NATO - driving force • IPP (seminars, conferences, courses, workshops, exercises and other opportunities) • PARP & Partnership Goals (48) • Intensified dialogue, “19+1”, security consultations with NATO • Membership Action Plan (MAP) & Annual National Program (ANP)

10. International Engagement NATO/PfP Force Commitments • Motorised light infantry company • Military police platoon • De-mining platoon • Engineering platoon • NBC defense platoon • Two medical support teams • Two transport/utility helicopters

11. International Engagement European Union (EU) • EU is a national priority & strategic objective • Stabilization & Association Agreement with EU (2001) • Developing EU standards (legislation, domestic affairs, economy, trade policy)

12. International Engagement PSO/PKO • Committment to international peace – both a consitutional and strategic obligation • From host (UNPROFOR, UNCRO, UNMOP, etc.) to contributor of PKO • Stand-by arrangement • IMOC -International Military Operation Center (international MILOB’s courses, exchange of instructors)

13. International Engagement PSO/PKO • UNAMSIL - Sierra Leone (from Sept 1999) • UNMEE -Ethiopia/Eritrea (2001) • UNMOGIP - India/Pakistan (2002) • MINURSO - Western Sahara (2002) • UNMIL – Liberia (2003) • UNOCI – Cote d’ Ivoire (2004) • UNFICYP – Cyprus (2004) • MINUSTAH – Haiti (2004) • UNOMIG – Georgia (2005) • UNMISUD – Sudan (2005) • (ISAF) Military Police Platoon in Afganistan (2003)

14. International Engagement Arms Control • Arms Control Department in MOD • arms control policy • info. exchanges, evaluations, inspections & visits • AEMI based on Vienna Document 99 (OSCE) • Sub-Regional Agreement on Arms Control • Article IV & V of Dayton Agreement • UN Register • Open Skies & CFE Treaty • RACVIAC (Stability Pact for SEE)

15. International Engagement Regional Initiatives • CENCOOP • Quadrilaterale • SEDM • SEECP • US-Adriatic Charter (A3) • Adriatic – Ionian Initiative • NATO’s Southeast Europe Initiative (SEEI) • SEEGROUP, SEECAP • Stability Pact for SEE • RACVIAC – arms control • SEE Clearinghouse

16. International Engagement Position of RoC in regional cooperation • Priorities are acceeding to NATO and integrating into the EU • Participation of RoC in projects aimed at bringing defence organisation in line with NATO standards • Creating a well balanced regional defence and security cooperation approach, in line with the RoC’s multiregional identity • Active contribution to all forums/initiatives in which RoC has membership status

17. International Engagement Position of RoC in regional cooperation (II) • Enhancing the importance of the US Adriatic Charter and RACVIAC, and strengthening the scope of cooperation within these regional security forums • Support and assistance to regional aspirants (B&H, S&M) in their efforts to meet requirements for joining PfP and Euro-Atlantic integrations • Contribute towards efforts against common threats, such as: - terrorism - proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) - organised crime

18. Future Challenges • Success of overall defense reforms • Economic development & national budget constraints • International engagement also requires human resources, information technology & time • Complexities of multi-national efforts • Achieveing NATO & EU membership

19. Main priorities and objectivesDefence cooperation proposals and requirements • Preparation for participation in PSO • Reintegration of separated personal into civilian life • Humanitarian demining – possibility to engage croatian expertize in other countires/ financial assistance to RoC in mine clearance in RoC • Establishing the Recruitment Centre in RC

20. Main priorities and objectivesDefence cooperation proposals and requirements (II) • Development of HNS (Host Nation Support) concept with emphases on ‘Catalogue of capabilities’ • Exchange of experiences in area of civil defence with emphases on civil crisis planning and civil - military crisis planning • Training of joint military medicine team of A-3 countires for participation in the ISAF (interoperability with NATO standards)

21. Main priorities and objectives International assistance most needed • Breeding and training of Military Police working dogs • Medical equipment for Role 1 Facility • Training of the transition advisers • Transition counsellors training and employment project

22. Main priorities and objectives International assistance most needed (II) • IBM system and network administrator education • E-bussiness developer education • European computer driving licence - ECDL education • Industrial Demilitarization of ammunition

23. Thank you for your attention!