Croatia presents annual national programme for 2008/2009MAP implementation

The Committee commended Croatia for the reforms implemented in the defence sector and society as a whole, expressing support for Croatia's planned activities. It also noted that Croatia had been successful in developing dialogue and relations with the public. NATO members welcomed Croatia's readiness to participate in the alliance's activities and confirmed that Croatia was actively contributing to peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic area.

The Annual National Programme contains an operative overview of the implementation of the goals set by MAP, encompassing not only the military-defence and security sector, but the protection of human rights as well (including minority rights), justice reform, economic indicators, and other issues of importance for the future functioning of Croatia as a NATO member.

At the Bucharest Summit in April, Croatia was invited to become a member of the Alliance. Then, after a successful completion of the accession negotiations, the Protocol on NATO Enlargement to the Republic of Croatia was signed.

The Protocol is currently being ratified by the members’ parliaments. Hungary, Latvia, the US, and Lithuania have already ratified it. Others are expected to follow suit and Croatia could take part in the Strasbourg-Kehl Summit next year as a full-fledged member.

The Croatian delegation was led by Minister Counsellor, Ambassador Vladimir Matek, and Defence Policy Director at the Ministry of Defence Pjer Šimunović.