ZAGREB, 9 Oct (Hina) – The long-term cooperation and support agreement between Croatia and Ukraine, signed in Dubrovnik on Wednesday by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, formalises the ongoing collaborative efforts between the two countries.
Croatia and Ukraine reaffirm their strong condemnation of Russia’s ongoing, unprovoked, unjustified, and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as Russia’s temporary occupation of Ukrainian territory. This aggression is deemed a clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, and the Paris Charter, says the agreement signed ahead of the Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit in Dubrovnik.
The agreement emphasises Croatia’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters. It also affirms Ukraine’s inalienable right to self-defence against the Russian aggression, as guaranteed by Article 51 of the UN Charter, and Ukraine’s pursuit of a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace.
The agreement underscores that Croatia has stood by Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian aggression in 2014 and will continue to do so until Ukraine prevails.
Since February 2022, Croatia has provided Ukraine with approximately €300 million in economic, financial, humanitarian, developmental, and other aid, including 11 military aid packages, the agreement says, adding that Croatia will continue to support Ukraine in line with its national legislation and constitutional requirements.
Cooperation in many areas
The agreement states that Ukraine and Croatia will continue to strengthen their cooperation across a range of fields, including politics, economy, and finance; security assistance; humanitarian support; energy; reconstruction, recovery, and development; the legal field, especially ensuring accountability for serious crimes committed during the Russian aggression; and in science, technology, culture, sports, and youth issues.
The two countries, along with international partners, will work together to ensure Ukraine’s capacity and resilience to defend itself and deter future aggression. Croatia will continue to provide military assistance, building on the 11 previously adopted military aid packages since the beginning of the Russian aggression, the agreement says.
To secure these objectives, Ukraine and Croatia will engage in a strategic defence and security dialogue and encourage cooperation between their defence industries to enhance defence preparedness.
The agreement also notes that Croatia and Ukraine will share their experiences and lessons learned to develop their cybersecurity capabilities, enhance cyber defence, and improve the protection of critical infrastructure.
At the Dubrovnik summit, countries from the region are expected to adopt a joint declaration supporting Ukraine in dealing with the Russian aggression.
In addition to Plenković and Zelensky, the summit participants include Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Bulgarian Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Bosnia and Herzegovina Prime Minister Borjana Krišto, North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, and the foreign ministers of Moldova, Turkey, and Romania – Mihai Popșoi, Hakan Fidan, and Luminita Odobescu.
