Croatia to reinstate mandatory military conscription starting January 1, 2025

"The service will last for two months, starting on January 1, 2025, and we will simply continue to do everything we have communicated to the public. We have increased the salaries of soldiers, sergeants, and officers, their material rights not only through personal income but also daily allowances and everything they have right for," said Anušić.

According to him, the circumstances Europe finds itself in do not allow Croatia to economize on the military.

The minister believes that the country will have a stronger and better image of its Armed Forces than before.

"We are equipping and modernizing the Armed Forces. We are organizing them in the way that is expected of us and as we have agreed with NATO allies and NATO leadership," Anušić noted.

It should be noted that Croatia abolished conscription in 2008. Since then, military service has been voluntary.

Earlier it was reported that Germany proposed reinstating mandatory military conscription. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius instructed to develop a military service model that would contribute to the country's resilience.

Meanwhile, Latvia has reintroduced mandatory military service for men of a certain age to deter Russia from invading Europe.