Minister Grabar-Kitarović and Minister Rončević at NAC-Croatia meeting

Minister Grabar-Kitarović informed the NAC about Croatia’s progress in the reforms pertaining to the fourth cycle of the 2005/2006 Annual National Plan in the field of economy, justice reform, refugees and property return, co-operation with the ICTY, regional co-operation, and Croatia’s contribution to ISAF in Afghanistan and the UN peacekeeping missions.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović stressed the importance of NATO’s dedication to further enlargement and Croatia’s wish for getting a clear and encouraging signal for a future membership at the Riga Summit in November.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović said that the Croatian Government is putting forth extra effort in building a positive and lasting support by the Croatian public to Croatia’s full NATO membership, pointing out that early-this year, Dubrovnik will host the Croatia Summit – Completing Europe’s Southern Dimension: The Values That Bind Us.

Croatia’s active role in the South Eastern Europe was commended, placing it at the forefront among the region’s countries. The Progress Report itself recognises Croatia’s outstanding results in conducting the political, economic and defence reforms.

Minister Rončević informed the NAC about the defence system reforms and familiarised NATO’s experts at the regular consultations with the working material Long-Term Croatian Armed Forces Development Plan for 2006-2015.