First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European and Foreign Affairs Vesna Pusić received Chairman of the EU Military Committee, General Patrick de Roussiers, who was on an official visit to Croatia, his first after Croatia entered the EU. The visit provided an opportunity to hold talks with the new member about the future of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy.
Pusić pointed out two areas where Croatia can give its specific contribution: sharing transition experiences, not just with the region’s countries but with those of the Southern Mediterranean and Easter Partnership as well, and building synergy between civil and military components, modelled after the Croatian efforts in Afghanistan.
In regard to the effects of the Common Security and Defence Policy instruments, the officials pointed out the positive influence on the stability and institution building in the immediate neighbourhood.
As an example of successful use of military resources for civic purposes, which is also one of the current European topics, the officials noted Croatia’s sending fire-fighting planes to the neighbouring countries and other, geographically distant EU members.