Croatian Defence Minister: Peace in the Western Balkans is hard-won and it would be a mistake to take it for granted

(Patria) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Croatia Ivan Anušić participated on 7 and 8 December in a meeting of defence ministers of the member states of the Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC), which was held in the Czech capital Prague.

The defence ministers of the regional security and defence initiative CEDC, through two working sessions, exchanged views on the results of this year's Czech presidency of the initiative, the security situation in the Western Balkans, and the implications of the war in Ukraine and events in the Gaza Strip for the security of the Western Balkans region.

Alongside the ministers of the CEDC initiative states - Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, as well as Poland, which participates in the initiative as an observer, the second working session was also attended by defence ministers or representatives of Western Balkan states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

Anušić expressed satisfaction that his first international activity in the role of Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia and Minister of Defence was precisely this CEDC meeting in Prague, and he also congratulated the Czech side on a very well-executed presidency of the initiative this year, while wishing Hungary success in its presidency in 2024.

He emphasised his conviction that this cooperation will become even more substantive in the coming years, especially given the necessity of building a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous Western Balkans region, to which the Croatian Government is fully committed.

- For Croatia, this is of utmost importance because preserving peace, strengthening democracy, and advancing the process of Euro-Atlantic integration are key to the security and stability of Europe as a whole.

Peace in the Western Balkans is hard-won and achieved, and it would be a mistake to take it for granted - said Anušić, adding that missed opportunities for progress in the European integration process have led to a more active strengthening of the levers of Russian influence in the Western Balkans.

During the working session on the impact of the war in Ukraine and events in the Gaza Strip on the Western Balkans region, Anušić welcomed colleagues from the Western Balkan states.

- Your presence here is of utmost importance because we can more easily achieve regional security and stability if we act in synergy - stated Anušić.

He emphasised that Croatia unequivocally condemns the terrorist attack on Israel and firmly supports Israel's right to self-defence in accordance with international law.

- Overnight, we were confronted with the reality of the immense scale of suffering of innocent civilians in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. Now it is important to take steps that will lead to sustainable peace and a sustainable future. At this moment, it is important to stand equally with Israel and Ukraine, two democracies under direct attack - the Croatian minister said.

On the sidelines of the CEDC ministerial meeting, Anušić met with the defence ministers of Slovenia, Marjan Šarec; Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez; and Kosovo, Ejup Maqedonci.

Anušić and Šarec confirmed the excellent bilateral cooperation of friendly and neighbouring countries in all functional areas, as well as at the multilateral level.

- I am glad that we were able to provide assistance in mitigating the consequences of the storm and catastrophic floods in Slovenia. This was an excellent example of allied solidarity, as was your assistance to Croatia after the earthquakes - said Anušić.

At the meeting between ministers Anušić and Helez, good friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries were confirmed, particularly in the field of defence.

On that occasion, Anušić emphasised that Croatia will continue to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina in the area of defence and security, especially regarding accession to Euro-Atlantic integrations, adding that "as a guarantor of the Dayton Agreement, Croatia strongly supports the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina."

Minister Helez thanked Croatia for the support it provides to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration, the Ministry of Defence announced.