Address

by H.E. Mrs. Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Croatia at the Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Foreign Ministers session

Thank you Mr. Secretary General.

Based on our four years of experience in Afghanistan, Croatia fully shares the view that a comprehensive approach is needed to our engagement in the country. Vigorous action must be undertaken. Such action should combine all necessary civil and military aspects including: military action, a build-up of Afghan Security Forces, reconstruction and development not only of the country's infrastructure, but of civil society and the rule of law.

I can assure you that Croatia is ready to assume its share of responsibility.

In the coming months, Croatia will be increasing its contingent of 150 troops to 200 troops. In 2008, another one hundred troops will be deployed bringing our total contribution to 300. We have removed all national caveats for the use of our forces. Croatian troops are only limited from engaging in counter-terrorist and counter-narcotics operations, as well as conducting offensive operations. Furthermore, we are seriously examining the possibility of assuming the role of a PRT lead nation.

Fully aware of the fact that the building of Afghan Security Forces is a key condition for a self-sustainable Afghanistan, Croatia is playing an active role in training the Afghan National Army (ANA) through its Operation and Mentoring Liaison Team. Yesterday, we officially offered through NATO, a donation of 1000 assault rifles and 300,000 rounds of ammunition to assist in equipping the ANA. The donation will be shipped with the transport assistance of our Canadian partners. We are ready to engage in further donations which might be suitable and needed by the ANA.

Croatia is determined to continue with the training of the Afghan National Police through the work of our police team in Feyzabad, on a long term basis.

Equally important, we are committed to continuing our efforts in the development of Afghan civil society, particularly through projects aimed at governance capacity building and human rights. To date we have: provided one tonne of school supplies to a girls' school in Kabul, we have donated blankets and winter clothing to an orphanage in Feyzabad, we are training Afghan diplomats at our Diplomatic Academy in Zagreb and we have hosted a study mission to Croatia by representatives of the Afghan Ministry of Women's Affairs to share my country's experiences and achievements in the area of gender equality, women's empowerment and human rights.

Lastly, it must be noted that we cannot ignore the necessity to address the serious problem that narcotics production and trafficking pose to stability in Afghanistan. It is imperative that we assist in reducing the dependence of the population on opium production by finding genuine alternatives for Afghan farmers to earn a living.

Ladies and gentleman, allow me to reiterate Croatia's long term commitment to our common endeavour aimed at assisting Afghanistan in becoming a stable, developed and self-sustainable country.

Thank you.