Defence Minister will talk with Croatian soldiers and meet with local officials.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević arrived in an official visit to Afghanistan, at the head of a delegation which also includes Chief of the General Staff General Mirko Šundov, director of the Security Intelligence Agency Daniel Markić, and Assistant Defence Minister Nikola Brzica, reports Večernji List on December 13, 2016.
Minister Krstičević and the delegation were welcomed in Kabul by Colonel Dražen Sebastijan, commander of the 5th Croatian contingent (HRVCON) of the Resolute Support mission.
On the first day of the visit, Defence Minister met with commanders of the Croatian contingent, who informed him about their mission. Krstičević said that 2017 would be the year of Croatian soldiers, NCOs and officers, and that the efforts of the Defence Ministry would be focused on improving the quality of life and work for members of the armed forces. Minister Krstičević also met with deputy commander of the Resolute Support mission, Lieutenant General Sandy Storrie.
Deputy Prime Minister Krstičević met with Defence Minister of Afghanistan, Abdullah Khan Habbibi. The two ministers talked about the importance of the contribution which the international community has given in terms of building Afghan institutions and building stability and security in the country. Habbibi thanked his Croatian counterpart for a visible contribution of the Croatian Armed Forces in achieving these goals.
“I am proud of praise which I have heard for members of the Croatian contingent. I am also proud to say that Croatian soldiers have become a brand, and that Croatia has turned from a receiver of peacekeeping forces and humanitarian aid into a credible and reliable provider of development cooperation, thus contributing significantly to global security and stability. I believe that the Croatian Armed Forces must participate in such operations and missions, because it raises their operational level”, said Minister Krstičević after the meeting, stressing that the strategically oriented developmental cooperation between Afghanistan and Croatia was the first step in strengthening political and economic relations.
“At the meeting, we discussed the security situation in Afghanistan and the contribution which the allies and coalition forces have given to the building of institutions of this country, to ensure the stability of Afghanistan. I am pleased that members of the Croatian Armed Forces have given a significant contribution to this efforts”, said after the meeting Chief of General Staff General Mirko Šundov.
Minister Krstičević, General Šundov and rest of the delegation will continue their visit to Afghanistan.
