Fallon confirms stronger defence co-operation with Croatia

Defence Secretary Micael Fallon has announced a stronger UK-Croatia defence relationship, during a meeting with the country’s President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

The Croatian President’s visit to the UK is her first visit to the UK since Croatia confirmed it would contribute a Military Police platoon to NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force when the UK takes the lead in 2017.

Fallon has also confirmed that he is due to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the UK and Croatia, providing a framework for developing co-operation.

Fallon said: “Croatia is playing an important part in NATO’s measures to strengthen its eastern border, as well as contributing to the Very High Readiness Taskforce that the UK leads next year.

“By strengthening our links, we are showing that Britain’s commitment to European security as a leading member of NATO is unwavering.”