First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić, during today’s marking of Croatia’s fifth NATO membership anniversary, responded to questions by the press whether NATO’s budget cuts could affect Croatia’s participation in peacekeeping missions.
“It most certainly cannot. The whole idea of joining NATO is a security umbrella. If you are not in NATO, then it is important to have combat readiness at the level at which hopefully you won't have to fight but you can send out a message to discourage any ideas of military conflict on your territory or in your neighbourhood. NATO membership enables us to do that more efficiently,” Pusić said. “Croatia is a distinguished and respected NATO member, notably due to our participation in Afghanistan, Kosovo and other missions. The fifth anniversary of Croatia's NATO admission was an opportunity to remember all those who had helped Croatia along that path, as well as the fact that there is a big difference, especially here, between states who are NATO members and those who are not,” the minister said.
“In late ‘80s-early ‘90s, people were talking about ‘the end of history’, believing there was no reason to look at the map. Recent events have reminded us that it is not so. NATO is an unusual alliance that is both political and military, whose member hope they will never have to engage in combat missions. We are all hoping for that and are working towards that end. We are well aware of the importance of security and stability on a territory such as Southeast Europe,” Pusić said after the ceremony.