While the President is travelling to Moscow to allegedly improve relations with Russia, Croatian soldiers are going to Poland to defend it from possible Russian aggression.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević attended a send-off ceremony today at the military barracks in Bjelovar for the first contingent of the Croatian Army which will be part of the US-led NATO combat group in Poland, reports Večernji List on October 12, 2017.
The concept of increased presence is aimed at raising the security of the citizens of the NATO alliance in the area, and participating in those activities by NATO members demonstrates unity, ability and readiness to defend the integrity and sovereignty of the borders, said the Croatian Army. At the same time, it is a confirmation to all NATO members that they can rely on the alliance to carry out its core task, the collective defence of all member states.
The first Croatian contingent includes up to 90 members of the Artillery Regiment of the Croatian Army, staff personnel and logistical support, with associated weapons, equipment and vehicles. The commander of the first Croatian contingent is Major Ivan Užarević.
“Croatia has been a member of NATO since 2009, and we are now in a position to send our troops. We know that Poles are our friends and brothers with whom we share a lot of common values, and I am glad that we are ready to help each other,” said Defence Minister Krstičević.
On 30 June, the Croatian Parliament adopted a decision on the participation of members of the Armed Forces in the activities of strengthening the NATO presence in Poland. The implementation of the concept of reinforced presence is implemented through the deployment of four combat groups of allied forces in the eastern part of the Alliance – in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland.
The four groups are led by four states – Canada (in Latvia), Germany (in Lithuania), the United Kingdom (in Estonia), and the United States (in Poland). The activities will be coordinated from the multinational command centre located in the town of Elblag in the north of Poland.
Translated from Večernji List.
