WEBVTT 1 00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:07.360 Thank you for listening to Depictions Media Radio. 2 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:28.879 Welcome to Policy and Rights show. O Gosh welcomer, Policy 3 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:29.760 Human Joys. 4 00:00:55.679 --> 00:00:58.520 Welcome ack to Policy and Rights Here Depictions Media Radio. 5 00:00:58.679 --> 00:01:04.000 I'm your host, my clogs and well, a lot going 6 00:01:04.040 --> 00:01:08.200 on in the world. Not only should we talk a 7 00:01:08.280 --> 00:01:12.239 little bit about what happened in Minneapolis and how well 8 00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:18.840 the agents involved shooting. There is no going to be 9 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:23.079 no criminal investigation, There is no going not going to 10 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:30.400 be any since the world sense of the word accountability 11 00:01:30.439 --> 00:01:39.959 help for the agent Jonathan who shot Rene Good, that 12 00:01:40.120 --> 00:01:44.959 they are that there is a warning issued out there 13 00:01:46.359 --> 00:01:50.519 about this situation that is Good actually had got herself 14 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:51.200 put into. 15 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:57.159 It was a trap and it is something that. 16 00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:03.920 Agents are taught literally taught not to do this because 17 00:02:03.959 --> 00:02:07.200 it is a trap that ends in the killing of 18 00:02:08.319 --> 00:02:12.919 the person that they're just simply maybe trying to question 19 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:18.080 or gain information from. Because of how the whole thing 20 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:26.159 comes about that one the agents, how they how they 21 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:32.800 approached a car with conflicting information, causing a conflict because 22 00:02:33.800 --> 00:02:39.879 because the the victim here, Renee, didn't know who to 23 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:45.719 actually whose orders to actually follow, she was totally confused. 24 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:50.360 So her thing, as we saw in the video was 25 00:02:51.639 --> 00:02:57.120 to leave. The best thing to do is to is 26 00:02:57.199 --> 00:02:59.960 to leave that situation and get to a different situation 27 00:03:00.199 --> 00:03:01.439 where there. 28 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:03.560 May have been a little more. 29 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:10.719 Cohesion, and she's where she could figure out what what 30 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:15.520 is that they were that these agents were asking from her. 31 00:03:16.360 --> 00:03:22.080 So that step one is they cause confusion. One of 32 00:03:22.120 --> 00:03:28.680 them steps in front of the car and in in 33 00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:33.280 in order to give the the vehicle and the driver 34 00:03:34.639 --> 00:03:37.080 a direction in which to go to because you're going 35 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:43.159 to try to evade hitting the agent. And with that 36 00:03:43.159 --> 00:03:46.560 that it is seen that the agent has now put 37 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:51.400 himself is now being placed in danger and now he 38 00:03:51.639 --> 00:03:58.879 has to defend himself from from being harmed. Thus the 39 00:03:58.919 --> 00:04:04.360 shooting begins and the person that is caught in the 40 00:04:04.360 --> 00:04:09.400 middle in this case Renee Good, is now dead. 41 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:11.039 Uh. 42 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:14.840 Some other people are out there are saying that that 43 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:20.600 I guess this is agency terminology for like the FBI 44 00:04:20.839 --> 00:04:26.399 or something that they say that they now unlive the 45 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:33.720 person softened the blow of hey, they killed her, and 46 00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:40.000 it becomes what could could be seen as a went 47 00:04:40.079 --> 00:04:45.279 through this scenario, it can become a just justifiable shooting. 48 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:54.720 But they the agents themselves, clearly cause the situation at hand. 49 00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:57.480 And leaving. 50 00:04:58.759 --> 00:05:04.839 Renee no play to go and in the end they 51 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:09.839 shot her and it was all caught on tape and 52 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:14.959 the video recordings out there show how he how he 53 00:05:15.160 --> 00:05:21.160 actually may maneuvered a classic These men maneuvered her in 54 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:25.879 a classic way so that they could actually be able 55 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:34.800 to shoot her. Because of the video itself, I think 56 00:05:34.839 --> 00:05:38.680 that there should be enough evidence to at least take 57 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:43.120 the gun and badge away from from from this these 58 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:49.199 agents and until a review can happen. But again, the 59 00:05:49.319 --> 00:05:59.000 agency themselves and the federal oversight is saying that there 60 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:03.319 is no reason for them to do a review of 61 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:07.560 the situation and they're just stamping it as justifiable. So 62 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:14.040 what can we do as citizens? My suggestion would be 63 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:21.959 to write to Congress and representatives and get those who 64 00:06:22.079 --> 00:06:27.000 are in control to force. 65 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:29.879 The agency to do a. 66 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:36.199 Review and while review, suspend these agents from being able 67 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:40.519 to be on the street in any way, shape or form, 68 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:49.720 and until the a investigation, giving them due process in 69 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:55.839 it uh so that they so that justice can be 70 00:06:55.920 --> 00:07:01.279 found for Renee and her family. For all of those 71 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:08.519 celebrities and Quaniti celebrities have jumped in and pitched into 72 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:18.319 help Renee Goods loved ones. That is an unbelievable act 73 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:23.759 of kindness that so many people are jumping in to 74 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:27.079 try to help this family get over. 75 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:30.199 When it has happened. 76 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:33.279 This is a true tragedy, and this is something that 77 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:35.639 is not actually supposed to happen in. 78 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:42.199 America, but nonetheless it actually did happen in the United. 79 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:52.519 States in a very prominent city of Minneapolis, and it 80 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:58.639 happened and would would have been a suburban neighborhood. 81 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:06.240 In class America. There it is that they shot and 82 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:14.480 killed a woman after causing mass confusion around the whole 83 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:17.720 situation of what they were even doing in the neighborhood. 84 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:24.800 So let's move on and we're going to discuss or 85 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:26.199 we're going to hear from. 86 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:32.279 UH NATO as UH. Well, Croatia is. 87 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:35.120 Is up on deck with with NATO and in the 88 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:38.879 years that Croatia has actually been a part of NATO, 89 00:08:40.200 --> 00:08:43.279 that they have worked with NATO to strengthen their their 90 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:49.080 military and it helped them do things so that two 91 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:53.480 percent of their GDP could be spent on defense and. 92 00:08:53.799 --> 00:08:58.159 Arming their UH their military. 93 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:06.519 With with weapons through NATO itself. Thus, NATO is, NATO 94 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:09.559 and Croatia are stepping up to the plate and talking 95 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:15.600 about Ukraine and how they want to help the Ukrainian 96 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:24.159 people maintain their sovereignty and to stop this war that 97 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:26.519 has been going on for a number of years now 98 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:32.639 between Russia and Ukraine. Now there's some back history to 99 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:36.120 this that if you know anything at all about the 100 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:41.679 back history between Ukraine and Russia, there's always been some 101 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:44.840 sort of tension and it's with the acceptment of the 102 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:51.080 years of the Soviet Union, So the two countries have 103 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:59.200 always been kind of at odds. But recent year events 104 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:04.600 over the past few years, we have seen Vladimir Putin 105 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:11.320 actually physically attack Ukraine and has marched troops across their 106 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:17.679 borders in attempt to gain control of the country. So 107 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:25.159 Croatia is stepping up through NATO wanting to help secure 108 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:29.679 Ukraine so that they can the Ukrainian people can maintain 109 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:35.039 their sovereignty. So we're gonna hear hear from a NATO 110 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:43.320 press conference on exactly that and how NATO is is 111 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:51.840 attempting to help the Ukrainian people get through this time 112 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:57.200 of war. Then we're going to hear from the United 113 00:10:57.279 --> 00:11:02.919 Nations with the Unit Nations press update as they're talking 114 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:12.360 about one again Ukraine and to they there's a number 115 00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:14.600 of other things that they're going to be talking about 116 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:26.840 in highlighting a papers insight is security in twenty twenty five, 117 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:33.279 particularly regarding meetings and other activities including missions to the 118 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:37.000 field and agenda items and topics that they're going to 119 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:44.840 be talking about. That some new tools that that the 120 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:48.279 UN Security Council is put in place for those who 121 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:51.919 want to actually know more about what the Security Council 122 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:59.440 is actually doing to help us live in a better world. 123 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:03.440 And I said, UH, A lot of the focus UH 124 00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:07.519 is of course going to be on Ukraine and coordination 125 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:12.600 of humanitarian affairs. They said over the week UH weekend 126 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:19.279 and the early hours of Monday, UH, several servilles were 127 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:25.639 killed and injured in the capital Kiev, uh In, in 128 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:35.799 the turn of Dundas and Kirsen Kiev Odessa. And this 129 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:41.720 is according to the authorities. To health workers were reportedly 130 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:48.799 injured when their ambulance came under attack while on a 131 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:53.960 call to in a border community. The thing of this 132 00:12:54.240 --> 00:13:03.399 is is attacking an ambulance that that is a vehicle 133 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:09.200 that is off limits for military strikes because they're offering 134 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:15.720 assistance and humanitarian aid to whoever the injured are. It 135 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:18.840 isn't simply that oh, we're only going to pick up 136 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:26.120 Ukrainian people and leave the Russian people who are who 137 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:30.960 are injured on the ground behind. They actually will pick 138 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:35.279 up all of the injured ends. And the hospitals have 139 00:13:35.320 --> 00:13:40.120 a directive directive a directive. It is an international thing 140 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:44.279 to try to save all lives. It doesn't matter that 141 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:50.720 some of those lives may be those of the quote 142 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:56.120 unquote enemy. That the directive is to protect all lives 143 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:59.279 and to save all lives that that ambulance would have 144 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:08.480 picked up. So to open fire on the ambulance is 145 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:14.200 a definite no go you we we won't. We just 146 00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:23.279 can't allow that, and yet it happens. So finally, our 147 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:31.519 last recording, we're well, this particular show is about human 148 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:34.399 rights and and of course government, and it's always going 149 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:38.120 to be about that, but we're also trying to introduce 150 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:44.360 something new, and that new thing would be uh, trying 151 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:51.960 to introduce things about well, human kindness. We hear in 152 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:59.080 in our news reports so much about the the violence, 153 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:09.919 but just some simple acts of human kindness, and which 154 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:14.639 you're gonna gonna be hearing in this particular act of 155 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:21.320 kindness is that a gentleman just simply steps up and 156 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:28.360 pays for another person's another lady's groceries, just simply because 157 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:33.080 he can do that. It's a pay it forward sort 158 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:40.440 of thing. And uh so, why don't we watch or 159 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:50.159 if you're listening at the end of all of the 160 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:54.240 commentary and the interviews, if you're listening to the the 161 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:58.200 audio podcast version of this, you're gonna hear it. Hear 162 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:00.919 that at at the very end of all of the 163 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:07.360 other recordings, and just something to breaden up the mood 164 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:12.440 and so that we know that there really is human 165 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:16.320 kindness out there and there are so many people just 166 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:23.320 trying to spread love around our planet. So why don't 167 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:26.000 we get started with with recordings to him. We're going 168 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:29.639 to hear from NATO and then from the United Nations. 169 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:34.759 If you're listening to the podcasts, and if you're watching 170 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:37.320 this on YouTube, you're going to see the act of 171 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.200 human kindness. 172 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:47.440 Next, ladies and gentlemen, Prime Minister Granko, which has met 173 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:53.320 with mister Marcutter, Secretary General of DONATO, who is visiting Croatia. 174 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:59.440 Following the meeting, which addressed the key security challenges strengthening 175 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:04.880 European fans and the modernization of Croatian army. We are 176 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:08.119 now having a press statement, so Prime Minister playing co 177 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:12.960 which deploy is yours, Thank you, Good afternoon everyone. Once 178 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:19.319 again warm welcome to my friend Mark Rutte, Secretary General 179 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:25.400 of the NATO and the former Dutch Prime minister. He 180 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:28.480 visited us two years ago that he was in a 181 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:32.680 different position, and very happy to say to see him 182 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:35.839 for the first time in Croatia at the Ester General. 183 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:41.559 At the moment when the world and Europe are facing 184 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:48.839 very demanding and challenging circumstances, this global insecurity is here. 185 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:56.319 We are still witnessing brutal aggression of Russia against Ukraine 186 00:17:56.480 --> 00:18:02.160 in terms of complying with the International Blue and there 187 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:06.759 are several other areas which are critical and it deserves 188 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:12.799 our full attention, involvement and vigilance. So today's the meeting 189 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:17.680 was an opportunity to inform General Secretary General with the 190 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:22.640 activities that the Creation government has undertaken in order to 191 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:27.559 meet the taken over obligations, obligations that have been taken 192 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:30.400 over in the past several years. First of all to 193 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:34.200 reach two percent of the GDP as defence spending and 194 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:39.640 related activities which according to the NATO criteria are included 195 00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:43.440 in these expenses. I would like to thank to Minister 196 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:48.279 anashitch Here and Minister girlich R Radman who have taken 197 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:51.400 part in meetings. Thank you to the Chief of the 198 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:54.720 General Staff General Quantity, thank you for all the information 199 00:18:54.920 --> 00:19:00.839 that you have contributed. Twenty twenty five ended in with 200 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:06.319 two point eight percent of defense spending. In twenty twenty five. 201 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:11.480 It was above the Ministry of Defense a budget which 202 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:15.200 exceeds billion and a half so in total billion and 203 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:21.359 nine hundred thousand million budget which meets the criteria when 204 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:24.440 it comes to the percentage related to modernization, so it 205 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:27.599 is a minimum of twenty percent. Croatia is now almost 206 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:31.319 at thirty four percent. We are particularly happy to say 207 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:36.720 that these activities have been complemented with the purchase of 208 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:46.599 new modern technologies such as Caesar self propelled and Leopard 209 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:52.160 two eight of German and other equipment. Croatia in that 210 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:58.680 regard has been using new instruments for defense, such as 211 00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:03.400 the safe instrument. We took one point seven billion euro 212 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:10.240 loans to finance defense expenses in the years to come. 213 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:15.759 Very importantly, Croatia is a responsible and serious member of 214 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:20.960 the Alliance since two thousand and nine, and our forces 215 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:27.319 participate in five missions with two hundred and seventy members 216 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:31.599 of our army. We have been present in Koso for years, 217 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:38.720 in Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, and around ninety Croatian troops will 218 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:43.799 be sent to Lithuania and smaller but significant symbolic presence 219 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:50.880 in NATO's mission in Iraq. Today we also talked about 220 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:57.000 our contribution to Ukraine, a friendly country, a victim of 221 00:20:57.240 --> 00:21:00.759 Russian aggression. Croatian government has in the past several years 222 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:05.200 contributed with fifteen packages of military assistance, the last one 223 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:08.920 in the last week's government session with decision was made, 224 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:16.319 and we also contributed in the prioritized Ukraine requirement least 225 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:20.519 the so called pearl that NATO is controlling and coordinating 226 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:25.680 in order to acquire weapons that is only produced in 227 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:30.400 the United States. And thus we have also contributed and 228 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:35.000 helped Ukraine in its efforts to defend its freedom. Ukraine 229 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:39.200 is not defending only its freedom, it is defending Europe's 230 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:42.960 typocracy and freedom, and that's why the consequences of Russian 231 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:47.960 and aggression have become more than evident in the entire continent. 232 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:52.720 In Croatia energy situation, we have had energy crisis, economic pressure, 233 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:56.319 social and invantory pressures. All this was and has been 234 00:21:56.359 --> 00:22:00.839 connected to the wider destabilization that we have gone through 235 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:05.480 in the past period. We have also announced then in 236 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:10.759 twenty twenty seven in spring, Croatia would host an informal 237 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:20.319 meeting of a NATO Foreign Ministers and we want our 238 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:25.079 participation as a country that is not that large in size, 239 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:30.960 but we are serious responsible, a reliable partner in Ali 240 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:35.079 that we have been so far. So today's visit of 241 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:39.880 the Secretary General is very important and I'm happy to 242 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:43.200 say that in the morning we went to a pleaso. 243 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:48.200 The General Secretary had an opportunity to see croat combat 244 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:57.279 aircraft Rafala, a black Hawk, helicopters and also unmanned aircraft 245 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:03.759 by Raktar. The Secretary General got an insight into a 246 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:09.039 very serious system and the process of replacing Eastern military 247 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:12.200 technology with the Western one, the process that we have 248 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:16.359 been undertaking for the past decade, and today we see 249 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:22.920 that this system has serious capacities and capabilities which are 250 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:26.720 compatible with our allies. And all of this has strengthened 251 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:32.240 creation defense and its capabilities in the long term, and 252 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:35.440 I also look forward to our afternoon. We will have 253 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:39.640 a meeting with the Creation Defense Industry Cluster. Thank you, 254 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:45.039 Minister of Defense. You have invited it practically all producers 255 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:48.440 of all military equipment manufactured in Croatia, so that Secretary 256 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:52.279 General can get an insight into what this part of 257 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:56.039 our economy is doing. And it is doing very well. 258 00:23:56.119 --> 00:24:01.319 It is expert oriented. Of course. We also addressed a 259 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:08.759 number of security challenges that relate to global environment, our region, 260 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:14.119 and we have also talked about the situation post the 261 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:17.000 Coalition of the Willing Paris meeting, and we will continue 262 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:20.519 to talk about this after our lunch. Once again, Mark, 263 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:22.920 welcome and I'm happy to see you here in Zagreb. 264 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:29.799 Well, thank you very much, Prime Minister Blankovich, the Andrei 265 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:32.640 that you also acknowledge the presence. 266 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.319 Of the two ministers. 267 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:37.119 Good that you're here in the Chief of Defense, and 268 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:40.559 thank you for hosting me here in beautiful Saca. 269 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:42.799 It's always a pleasure to be here. 270 00:24:44.119 --> 00:24:47.720 Since joining the Alliance in two thousand and nine, the 271 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:52.160 Croatia has been a valued member of NATO. It contributes 272 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:57.359 significantly to our collective security, not only all our eastern 273 00:24:57.400 --> 00:25:00.440 flank and in the Western Balkans, but of course the 274 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:05.519 entire alliance. Just before the holidays, I met Croatian troops 275 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:09.319 in Poland as part of NATO's Forward Land Forces in 276 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:13.920 Baymo Wopitski, and I was inspiring to meet so many 277 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:19.480 servicemen and women spending Christmas away from their families standing words. 278 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.200 Keeping us all safe. 279 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:25.640 Croatia also contributes personnel to our forward land forces in 280 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:30.519 Bulgaria and Hungary, and I'll welcome your efforts to modernize 281 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:33.759 the capabilities of the Croatian armed forces and the way 282 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:39.039 Croatia's defense industry indeed is stepping up, particularly in driving 283 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:42.960 innovation in the field of uncowed systems. I'm looking forward 284 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:46.119 to the meeting. You already announced it this afternoon with 285 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:49.440 representatives on the defense industry, and I was really impressed 286 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:54.079 this morning to see how you have revamped Croatia's air 287 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:58.319 force in just a couple of years. You are already 288 00:25:58.359 --> 00:26:01.519 spending more than two percent of GDP on defense and 289 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:04.400 are working to reach the five percent benchmark by twenty 290 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:07.559 thirty five, as All Allies agreed at a summit in 291 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:11.240 the Hague, and they also welcome that as of the 292 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:15.279 first of January this year, the Croatian Air Force officially 293 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:18.559 assumed full responsibility for protecting Croatian airspace. 294 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:21.440 Croatia is also making good. 295 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:26.119 On the commitment allies made to sustain our unwavering support 296 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:29.960 for Ukraine. Since the start of Russia has full scale 297 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:34.160 invasion in twenty twenty two, Croatia has been a strong 298 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:39.200 and reliable supporter of Ukraine. In addition to your recent 299 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:42.400 fifty million euro contribution to indeed you already mentioned it 300 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:47.759 he prioritized Ukraine requirement list Burl, Croatia has provided now 301 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:52.440 over three hundred million euros in military eight Since twenty 302 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:58.200 twenty two. You have supplied helicopters, transport aircraft, artillery system, ammunition, 303 00:26:58.359 --> 00:27:04.680 protective equipment and much more. Russia's brutal warre of aggression continues, 304 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:07.720 and we saw just last week the use of the 305 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:12.920 Rashnik missile on Leviv and continued attacks on civilian and 306 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:19.000 energy infrastructure. Russia is trying to deter us from supporting Ukraine, 307 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:23.720 but we will not be deterred. As Ukraine faces immense 308 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:27.039 pleasure during the harsh winter, your support and the support 309 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:32.160 of all NATO allies is more important than ever, Ukraine 310 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:36.519 security is our security and on your leadership, Prime Minister Plankovich, 311 00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:41.720 Croatia has truly been a vital partner to our Ukrainian friends. 312 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:46.079 Croatia also plays an important role in sustaining stability in 313 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:49.759 the Western Balkans. You are a long standing contributor to 314 00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:52.640 KF With more than a halfdre and fifty troops on 315 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:56.720 the ground in Kosovo, the Western Balkans remain high on 316 00:27:57.039 --> 00:28:00.359 Nature's agenda and our commitment to the regions that bbility 317 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:05.039 iste fast. With your support, we will not allow a 318 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:09.480 security evacive them to emerge, and NATO will continue to 319 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:15.839 strengthen political dialogue and practical corporation across the region. Prime 320 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:19.720 Minister Plankovic de Andre, thank you for your warm hospitality 321 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:23.240 and again for croatia stead fast support to our alliance 322 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:25.359 and everything we collectively stand for. 323 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:34.680 Thank you, Zachal, thank you, Thank you, Prime Minister, Thank you, 324 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:42.319 Secretary General. We have time for questions. Please respect time. 325 00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:50.079 We have time for only a few questions. Yes, Mina Kuzmanovich, Hello, 326 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:52.039 question for Secretary General. 327 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:56.240 H Good afternoon. So a group of European countries, led 328 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:59.960 by the UK and Germany are apparently planning to increase 329 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:05.960 actually to have some military presence on the Arctic, on Greenland. 330 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:08.440 Could you tell us more about these plants? Would it 331 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:13.759 be like the Baltic century of the last year initiative 332 00:29:13.880 --> 00:29:16.799 of how did it look and how far the plants 333 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.240 have gone? 334 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:19.440 Thank you, thank you, thank you very much for that question. 335 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:23.759 And let me first of all stress that all allies 336 00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:27.680 agree on the importance of your Arctic and Arctic security, 337 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:33.039 because we know that with sea lanes opening up there 338 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:35.480 is a risk that Russians and the Chinese will be 339 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:39.079 more active. And as you know, there are eight Arctic countries. 340 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:43.480 Seven are within NATO, including the United States and Canada, 341 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:46.920 and five countries in Europe including Denmark through Greenland and 342 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:50.200 Iceland and Norway Fielands in Sweden. And then there's one 343 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:54.319 Arctic country outside NATO, and that is Russia. But you 344 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:57.960 could also argue that by now China has almost become 345 00:29:58.000 --> 00:30:01.599 a sort of Arctic country, and not geographically, but at 346 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:05.200 least by the share amount of their activities and interest 347 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:08.559 in the regions. So that has led this year, sorry 348 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:12.680 last year already to some debates, very successful concluded debates 349 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:15.839 in NATO on how as an alliance together with our 350 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:19.200 seven Arctic allies, we have to work together to make 351 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:22.319 sure that the Arctics stays safe, and currently we are 352 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:24.559 discussing the next step to that, how to make sure 353 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:28.359 that we give practical follow upon those discussions to make 354 00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:32.119 sure that as an alliance we do everything collectively and 355 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:35.880 through our individual allies to make sure that the Arctic 356 00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:39.000 stays safe, as we all agree that that has to 357 00:30:39.039 --> 00:30:39.720 be a priority. 358 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:45.880 Hi, I also a question for you, Secretory General. 359 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:48.880 My name is Anabela Aikov from the Creation Radio, and 360 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:53.319 you have repeatedly stated that Russia is the main threat 361 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:57.039 to NATO and to Europe. Of course, understandably, we all 362 00:30:57.119 --> 00:31:02.240 understand why what is your comment approximation on the latest 363 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:07.119 statements from Donald Trump who said that if necessary, he 364 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:11.240 will take military action on Greenland and I'm just going 365 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:14.720 to read it. Commissioner Quibilius from European Commission has said 366 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:17.759 the team members are obliged to come to Denmark's assistance 367 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:22.599 under EU treaty if for if faced the military aggression. 368 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:25.400 And as we know, twenty three countries of you also 369 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:29.920 members of NATO, the Blankovich, including Croatia. 370 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:33.400 Yes, there's ony Plank concilways to Vash Commander Monument. 371 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:37.200 Yes, well on that question, and there's a little bit 372 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:40.440 I think repeating my previous reaction. Well, thank you very 373 00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:43.319 much for that for that important question. And I think 374 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:48.359 what is at core here and to the course this question, 375 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:53.079 is that we all make that same analysis and there 376 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:56.119 is no debate or discussion about that. The analysis is 377 00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:58.920 sound and it is there that well, it comes behind 378 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:03.240 north the article region. I was myself visiting Iceland only 379 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:05.160 I think six or eight weeks ago, and we also 380 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:09.799 extensively discussed this, and I was in Norway and visiting 381 00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:12.880 all our allies, discussing with the US and with Canada. 382 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:15.599 I was with the Prime Minister Canyon last week in 383 00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:19.839 Paris discussing the importance of the Arctics so collectively as 384 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:22.279 an alliance and particularly of course the seven countries who 385 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:26.400 are bordering on the region. We do make this analysis 386 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:29.359 that the collective defense is crucial. We all see that 387 00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:34.200 through changes in veteran patrons, that sea lanes are opening 388 00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:38.240 up and we have to make sure that we do 389 00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:41.720 everything to protect that region. It is a vital part 390 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:45.599 of natal territory and that's exactly why we're in the past, 391 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:49.039 NATO was not so much involved when it came to 392 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:52.720 the Arctic. That since twenty twenty five, on the request 393 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:56.720 by these seven High North allies who are bordering on 394 00:32:56.799 --> 00:33:00.480 the Arctic, that NATO has become more involved has led 395 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:03.680 to a few, as I said, very successful discussions within 396 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:07.640 the nature a NATO alliance. With our ambassadors in Brussels 397 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:12.359 and our ministers, we discussed this importance and currently we 398 00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:15.400 are working on the next steps to make sure that 399 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:18.799 indeed we collectively protect what is mistake. 400 00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:28.680 Here allow me to add a few words related to Greenland, 401 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:31.480