Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić met with Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas during the third day of the NATO summit in Washington, on July 11, 2024.

During the meeting, they discussed improving cooperation between Croatia and Lithuania in the defense sector, as well as continued support for Ukraine.

At the NATO summit, member states reaffirmed their strong support for Ukraine. Ministers Anušić and Kasciunas highlighted the importance of further concrete and strong assistance to Ukraine and confirmed the excellent cooperation between the two countries during the bilateral meeting.

Statement from Minister Anušić
“I am pleased that we will continue to develop good relations between Croatia and Lithuania. Croatia has joined the Humanitarian Demining Coalition for Ukraine, initiated by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense,” said Minister Anušić.

Croatia's demining experience
Minister Anušić emphasized the significance of Croatian experience: “Our country has significant experience in demining territories after the Homeland War, and we are ready to share that experience and assist in this area”.

On the last day of the summit, leaders of the 32 NATO member states met with Ukrainian President Zelensky to discuss the current situation in Ukraine. The focus of this year's summit was support for Ukraine, condemnation of Russian aggression, and analysis of the geopolitical situation in the world.

Ministers also discussed the possibilities of joint military exercises and training, aimed at improving mutual interoperability and strengthening collective security. They also discussed future joint projects in the defense sector, including the exchange of experts and technical knowledge.

Croatia and Lithuania plan to further improve their bilateral relations through cooperation in areas including cyber security, intelligence data exchange, and the development of new technologies in the defense industry. The ministers expressed confidence that these initiatives will contribute to strengthening the security capacities of both countries.

The summit also discussed the importance of maintaining stability and security in Eastern Europe, with a special emphasis on preventing the spread of conflicts and protecting the civilian population. The ministers agreed that international cooperation is key to achieving these goals.

The summit concluded with a joint statement by NATO members, reaffirming their commitment to defending common values and supporting all allies in the face of threats. This statement underscores unity and solidarity within the alliance and readiness for joint action in facing future challenges.