Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic paid an official visit to the State of Israel from 1-3 July 2018.
On the first day, July 1, at the invitation of the SIBAT - International Defence Cooperation Directorate of the Israel Ministry of Defence, Deputy PM and Defence Minister Krsticevic participated at a conference of the Israeli defence industry. Minister Krsticevic presented the Croatian defence industry and elaborated on the strategic cooperation between Croatia and Israel in the context of a multi-purpose fighter aircraft procurement project, which will open business opportunities for Croatian companies. The SIBAT’s conference was devoted to the topic of global security and defence cooperation, with around 600 representatives of the Israeli defence industry and the Ministry of Defence attending it.
On the second day, July 2, Deputy PM and Defence Minister Krsticevic visited the Ramat David Airbase. In this base there are the Israeli multi-purpose fighter aircrafts F-16 Barak, envisaged to be delivered to Croatia, and from which the Croatian pilot flew on that aircraft for the first time earlier this year. Minister Krsticevic met with the base commander and visited the Israeli aircrafts.
On the third day, July 3, Deputy PM and Defence Minister Krsticevic met with the Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and the Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
At their meeting, the fourth as of 2017, ministers Krsticevic and Lieberman discussed the strategic cooperation between Croatia and Israel, further steps in the implementation of the multi-purpose fighter aircraft procurement project, as well as expanding the defence cooperation focusing on cyber, training and education. They also talked about the possibilities for future cooperation between the Israeli and Croatian navies, land and special forces, as well as about connecting further defence industries and perspectives for economic cooperation in other areas too. Minister Krsticevic met also with the Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, with whom he discussed global security challenges with an emphasis on the security situation in the South East Europe and the Middle East, as well as the upcoming visit of President Rivlin to Croatia.
During this official visit, Deputy PM and Minister Krsticevic visited the Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, where he rekindled the eternal flame, laid a wreath and signed the Guest Book.
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