The interest in serving in the Croatian army is decreasing, Defence Minister Ivan Anušić said on Tuesday.

“The interest in serving in the Croatian military is decreasing, both in voluntary service and in all other forms of service. This is specific not just to Croatia but to all countries in the world. We have to increase and strengthen security and this is done thanks to the quality of the Croatian armed forces,” Anušić said in the eastern city of Đakovo where he attended a seeing-off ceremony for the 40th Croatian contingent joining the KFOR peace mission in Kosovo.

Speaking of the motivation and recruitment of new soldiers, he said that he personally would see to it that the material rights of all military personnel were increased.

Speaking of the Defence Ministry’s strategic plans, Anušić  cited completion of the acquisition of Black Hawk helicopters and Patria and Bradley armoured fighting vehicles, completion of coastal patrol vessels, and the stationing of the army in the eastern city of Beli Manastir.