On Thursday, February 2, the head of the Ministry of Defense visited Zagreb where he met with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Defense Minister Mario Banožić.

"With the threat posed by the attempt to rebuild the Russian empire and Russia's attack on Ukraine, the solidarity of the countries that create the North Atlantic Alliance and are part of the European Union are an important foundation on which we build our resilience. I also wanted to emphasize Poland's activity in the Balkans. We welcomed with joy and satisfaction the decision of the United Nations to extend the mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Polish Armed Forces are participating in this mission and will continue to do so. We are aware of the threats that come from the east, but also from the south. We are in solidarity with our allies. This is how we have acted, this is how we are acting and this is how we will act in the future."

- Deputy Prime Minister M. Blaszczak noted after the meeting.

The head of the Ministry of Defense drew attention to the efforts of Poland and Croatia in modernizing the armed forces and the possible cooperation between the two countries in this regard.

"Both our countries are upgrading equipment of their armed forces. Hence the effort and high investment in the modernization of the military in both our countries. This is a field for cooperation, both industrially, but also within the European Union - this way we increase the possibilities for rapid modernization of our armed forces. The security, as we all see, is a key to the development of our countries, but also of the whole European community."

- he pointed out.

Bilateral talks included the issue of support for Ukraine, attacked by Russia in February 2022. In addition, the ministers discussed the situation in the Western Balkans, cooperation within the framework of NATO and the European Union, with particular emphasis on participation in the NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence  (eFP) and the mission for Ukraine (Military Support Mission for Ukraine / EUMAM Ukraine). Mutual military cooperation between the two countries was also one of the topics of the meeting.

The head of the Ministry of Defense congratulated Croatia on joining the Schengen Area, which will increase opportunities for cooperation between our countries.

"I wish to congratulate Croatia's accession to the Schengen area. Poland has always, for many years, consistently supported Croatia. At one time, when I myself was Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, and I remember those talks in the European Union. Croatia could always count on Polish support. Joining the Schengen zone will only increase the opportunities for travel to Croatia, increase the opportunities arising from our friendship, from the fact that we are looking together for what we have in common. We can say that these ties are so strong that they provide good prospects for the future."

- said the head of the Ministry of Defense.

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Croatia is contributing to strengthening the security of the North Atlantic Alliance's eastern flank, and the Polish and Croatian armed forces are jointly involved in Allied and European defense projects, such as the EU Battle Group. Polish soldiers are carrying out training and advisory tasks as part of the PMC EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Cooperation in the area of military education and special forces training cooperation is also dynamic.