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Good afternoon everyone and welcome.

To the occasion of signing the loan agreement under the safe instrument between the European Union and the Republic of Croatia.

First, allow me to invite to the floor Croatian Prime Minister Mr. Andrej Plenković. Good afternoon everyone. First, very warm welcome to Commissioner Andrius Kubilius.

He is in charge of defense and the space with the European Commission.

Andreas is a friend of ours,

former Prime Minister of Lithuania twice and a colleague at the European Parliament.

I would like to thank Andrew for a number of initiatives he has started as a commissioner.

The area that is one of the greatest priorities of European policy, which is European defense,

he initiated the White book on European defense together with other commissioners.

He takes part in developing a new European defense strategy.

He is one of the authors of the new instrument, as we've heard. Instrument for safe Europe.

An important instrument that a number of member states have utilized for a 40 plus year loan to invest in their defense capabilities.

I would like to thank Minister Sanusi and Minister Cori with his teams who have worked hard recently to ensure that Croatia.

Takes the loan in the amount of €1.7 billion to invest primarily in tanks. Leopard, thanks. French Cesar Horowitz, Czech.

Trucks that are very important for the transport and logistics of the Croatian army.

For other forms of ammunition that will be used from this instrument.

In this way we strengthen the capabilities of the Croatian army.

We ramp up our defense and we Me to And confirm our commitment to NATO goals,

which is to set aside 3.5% of GDP by 2030 and with related investments additional 1.5%.

So these are dual use investments.

Let me remind you that in the past 10 years since we've been in office,

Croatia has increased budget and the defense spending threefold. In 2025.

The amount was 2.1%. Out of which 34% was investment in the modernization and equipment,

so the threshold is 20%, and it is evidence that we have surpassed this threshold.

We do this in order to protect our territory, our country, and everything that we do is of a defense nature and strengthening Croatia as a reliable partner both in the NATO,

in the EU, in the UN, and in the coalition of the willing.

In different peace projects and situations all over the world, I believe that today's signing and Commissioner Kubilius has been in similar events in Poland and Lithuania,

so this will be his 3rd visit and his contribution confirming that Croatia is also contributing to strengthening. Defense capacities and readiness.

Today we've discussed other topics related to the European security policy.

The position of Ukraine and Russian aggression, transatlantic agreement, the consequences of the war in the Middle East,

and other relevant topics that have been addressed in our friendly and warm relations with Commissioner Kubilius.

So thank you, Commissioner, for being with us in Zagreb. Thank you, Prime Minister.

Now I would like to invite to the floor Commissioner for Defence and Space, Mr. Andrius Kubilius to address us.

Ers Well, Prime Minister, ministers, dear colleagues,

it's really for me a big pleasure and honor.

To come here to Croatia to Zagreb to sign this important agreement on safe loans.

And, really I value Prime Minister Andrei Plenkovic's experience and leadership of a European scale being Such a strong supporter of European developments,

especially during those not easy times for all of us when challenges and threats are very much visible war,

Russian war with Ukraine, war in Iran.

Transatlantic partners which are looking into their new strategy and are asking us to take primary responsibility on European conventional defense and they will stay with secondary responsibility.

All that creates an environment which demands from us a very strong strategic. Agenda in strengthening our security and defense.

And safe loans is exactly expression of this European clear strategic.

Development in moving ahead with our defense readiness.

Safe loans are based on the basic value of the European Community on European solidarity,

and this is really what we can call unprecedented instrument.

The first time when the European Community is creating such possibilities,

financial possibilities to invest in strengthening of our.

Defense in helping member states, assisting member states to implement their capability targets agreed with NATO,

and Croatia here is showing clear leadership in taking responsibility on its own defense and at the same time on the defense of the whole Europe.

Responsibility for implementation of safe loans is very crucial.

Croatia is really very inspiring example for other European member states,

especially of what I would call similar size.

Being, big but not the biggest, let's say so, like, also I came from Lithuania, so I, I, I see here a lot of similarities in, in, in our Geographical situation being on different you know, different parts of Europe, but nevertheless, you know,

playing a very important role in taking care about European defense and Croatia really is doing a lot of inspiring things domestically like now introduced conscription or really remarkable achievements with development of the air force,

and Croatia is doing a really great job in taking care of or leading some very important European projects.

What we call pan-European flagship projects which now we are pushing into a new stage of so-called European defense projects of common interest, and Croatia, with some other European Union member states,

is leading in drone defense initiative, very important for all of us when we see what new war doctrines,

how they are looking like.

I would not be able to also praise Croatia and Prime Minister Plenković personally for long term and steady support for Ukraine,

which is definitely for for all of us is crucial because all of us will understand that Ukraine is defending the whole of Europe. And second, besides our support for Ukraine.

We can learn a lot from Ukraine, from its very outstanding innovative industrial developments. European defense architecture. Is based on collective defense principle.

And security of each country depends also on not only how much the member states themselves are investing into their defense capabilities,

but also how other member states are investing.

And again here Croatia is great to know a really inspiring example of how to fulfill this responsibility for collective defense.

A lot of things will demand our attention, not only from material point of view, from material defense readiness,

but also from institutional defense readiness,

The need will be to talk about the European pillar of NATO,

about Article 427.

I know the prime ministers are talking among themselves, and there will be other issues.

And again, I am very, very happy and always. Very much.

Applauding what Prime Minister Plenković is doing not only for Croatia but for the whole European development and also on bringing new ideas on institutional European development. So thanks a lot again. Thanks to everybody.

Thanks to Prime Minister, to ministers,

and thanks also to our teams that we can today do a very important job. Thanks a lot. Thank you very much.

And now the ceremony of signing the loan agreement under the SAFE instrument between the European Union and the Republic of Croatia,

Prime Minister Plenković. And signatories. Mr.

Ivan Aussic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mr.

Tomislav Cic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Mr. Andrius Kubilius,

European Commission for Defense and Space. Epa. That A family photo now.

Most important jobs are done. Let's