CROATIA COMPLETING STRATEGY OF LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ARMED FORCES

CROATIA COMPLETING STRATEGY OF LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ARMED FORCES Croatia is nearing the completion of a document on the long-term development of its armed forces, which is exceptionally important for its integration with NATO. Hina

CROATIA COMPLETING STRATEGY OF LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ARMED FORCES Croatia is nearing the completion of a document on the long-term development of its armed forces, which is exceptionally important for its integration with NATO, national coordinator for NATO Pjer Simunovic said on Monday. "The long-term plan of development of the Armed Forces for 2006-2015 is in its final stage and it will be discussed in the Parliament in June," said Simunovic, who with the Assistant Defence Minister in charge of defence policy, Igor Pokaz, led a Croatian delegation at talks with NATO's Military-Political Steering Committee. NATO officials attending the talks gave high marks to Croatia's defence reform. "The long-term plan of development of the Armed Forces is a document which reforms the Armed Forces to make them more mobile, financially viable, compatible with NATO and capable of responding to all challenges and possible threats to the country," Simunovic said. The Croatian government will also work on improving public relations and acquainting the public with all aspects of NATO membership. Simunovic said that the purchase of 126 armoured vehicles was high on the list of priorities and that talks were under way on the replacement of MIG-21 planes with more modern planes as of 2010, on the purchase of ships for the Navy, primarily for guarding the coast, and the purchase of communication equipment. After it draws up key documents for defence reform, Croatia is expected to start implementing them. Hina

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