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October 19, 2023
Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Croatian Minister of Defense Mario Banozic

Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Croatian Minister of Defense Mario Banožić for a meeting at the Pentagon today to underscore the strength of the bilateral defense relationship.

Secretary Austin expressed his appreciation for Croatia's contributions to international and regional security, its reliability as a NATO Ally, and its support of Ukraine and stability in the Western Balkans. The leaders discussed the bilateral military relationship, including Croatia's defense modernization efforts to provide a mechanized infantry brigade to meet a NATO capability, the upgrade of its helicopter fleet with UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, and the use of Croatian training areas by U.S. forces.

The two Secretaries signed the inaugural U.S.-Croatia Framework for Defense Cooperation covering the period 2023-2028, which will guide cooperation in a number of areas over the next five years - ranging from cyber-security and combating disinformation to defense institution resilience, training, education, and logistics.

Secretary Austin also expressed appreciation for Croatia's strong State Partnership with the Minnesota National Guard.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3562425/