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NATO and Croatia actively cooperate in a range of areas, with a particular emphasis on defence and security sector reform, as well as support for wider democratic and institutional reform. The country joined the Membership Action Plan (MAP) in 2002 and aspires to join the Alliance. In April 2008, Croatia was invited to start accession talks with the Alliance.
NATO Allies signed accession protocols with Croatia on 9 July 2008 and the ratification process is ongoing. During the period leading up to accession, NATO will be involving Croatia in Alliance activities to the greatest extent possible, and will continue to provide support and assistance, including through the Membership Action Plan.
Beyond the key focus on reform, another important area of cooperation is the country’s support for NATO-led operations. Croatia has contributed to the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR), both directly and indirectly. It has also been contributing to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since 2003.
In the MAP framework, Croatia sets out its reform plans and timelines in its Annual National Programme (ANP). Key areas include political, military and security-sector reforms. Important priorities are efforts to meet democratic standards, support for reducing corruption and fighting organized crime, judicial reform, improving public administration and promoting good-neighbourly relations. NATO Allies provide feedback on the envisaged reforms and evaluate their implementation.
More…NATO-Croatia relations date back to 1994, when senior Croatian diplomats publicly declared Croatia’s interest in joining the Partnership for Peace (PfP). Relations continued to expand, and Croatia joined the PfP and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) in May 2000. Bilateral cooperation has developed progressively in light of the country’s membership aspirations and its participation in the Membership Action Plan since 2002. In April 2008, Croatia was invited to start accession talks with the Alliance. NATO Allies signed accession protocols with Croatia on 9 July 2008 and the ratification process is ongoing.
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