President Milanović: Members of the Croatian Armed Forces will not in any way cooperate with the Israeli Army or Arms Industry

Statement by the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović on possible cooperation with the Israeli Army or arms industry:

“Due to the Israeli Army’s unacceptable actions and unprecedented trampling of all norms of international humanitarian law, in May of last year I ordered the termination of any type of cooperation between the Croatian Armed Forces and the Israeli Army, which relates to all the members of the Croatian Army. At the same time I called on the Croatian Government to end every form of arms trade and military equipment with Israel.

In a recent telephone conversation I warned the Prime Minister directly that any form of military cooperation with Israel would be unacceptable. Since Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić is paying an official visit to Israel where he will meet with representatives of the Israeli defense industry and with representatives of the International Defense Cooperation Directorate, as Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces, I once again emphasize that the Croatian Armed Forces will not cooperate in any way with the Israeli Army even in the future.

As to prevent any harm to the Republic of Croatia, it is important to stress  that members of the Croatian Armed Forces will not cooperate in any way to implement any agreement, contract or treaty whatsoever with the Israeli Army or the Israeli arms industry. Such agreement, contract or treaty would therefore be unenforceable and harmful for Croatia.

In this context, I call on the Croatian Government – which is relevant and responsible for the procurement of military equipment and arms – to suspend all planned agreements, contracts or treaties that would include the purchase of weapons and military equipment from Israel. It is the Prime Minister’s responsibility to react timely and to act in accordance with the interests of the Republic of Croatia. Croatian interests are cooperation with its NATO allies and the same time strengthen the capabilities of the Croatian industry for direct or indirect participation in the production of military equipment”.