NATO COMMANDER FOR EUROPE VISITED ZAGREB

U.S. General Joseph Ralston met with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Croatian Premier Ivica Racan and Croatian Defense Minister Jozo Rados

 

 

Gen. Ralston with the Croatian Defense Minister Rados

 

Zagreb, April 5 – The NATO Europe Commander, U.S. General Joseph Ralston, visited Croatia and welcomed the successfully completed adoption of related legislation as part of a reform of the Croatian related system at meetings with high state officials in Zagreb.

President Mesic said during his meeting with Ralston that the adoption of related strategies and laws provided a framework for the continuation of army reorganization with the aim of achieving NATO standards as a precondition for full membership in the Alliance.

During a meeting with Prime Minister Ivica Racan, general Ralston expressed his congratulations on the successful adoption of related legislation, adding that the reduction of military personnel should not be too fast as in that case most funds would be spent on programs of care for laid-off personnel, instead of for army modernization, training and equipment.

"NATO is more than a military organization for Croatia. Integration processes in Europe are inevitable, but they must not be hasty", Racan said, adding that Croatia wanted to contribute to the fight against terrorism.

Gen. Ralston thanked Croatia for its efforts in fighting terrorism and their support for the United States. Decisions on support for an integral Bosnia-Herzegovina, cooperation with the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal, and refugee return will be good for Croatia in the long run, he said.

General Ralston also met with Croatian Defense Minister Jozo Rados in Zagreb. The meeting focused on the current reform of the Croatian army as part of the country’s efforts to join NATO.

The U.S. general described the Croatian army’s reform efforts since the country’s admission to NATO’s Partnership for Peace Program in May 2000 as very positive. Ralston also said that the next step in the process of drawing closer to NATO and joining MAP, was a matter of political decision.

Rados said that Gen. Ralston’s visit affirmed Croatia’s goal to join international security structures. Croatian Defense Minister informed his guests about the reforms the Defense Ministry was conducting, including the reduction of personnel. "Once this process is successfully completed, we expect that the modernization of the armed forces and the employment of younger staff will start, he said, adding this could happen as early as next year".

A detailed long-term plan of development of the armed forces will be drawn up in line with the new law on the armed forces, Rados said.

This is the second visit of Gen. Ralston to Croatia. He first visited Croatia in the autumn of 2000.