Croatian president questions push for 5 pct GDP defense spending

ZAGREB, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Croatian President Zoran Milanovic questioned on Wednesday the idea of allocating five percent of Croatia's gross domestic product (GDP) to defense, according to the Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT).

"We are being forced to spend five percent of GDP on defense," Milanovic said while addressing the opening of an international scientific conference in Brela in southern Croatia, noting that Croatia's nominal GDP is almost 100 billion U.S. dollars.

Croatia's current defense spending is 1.3 billion U.S. dollars, "that is still not two percent, but it is more than ever," he added.

"It is much more important what can be bought with that money and how much we can strengthen our security, our defense, protect our natural right to existence and independence," Milanovic said.

Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anusic has said that Croatia will increase its defense spending to 2.5 percent of its GDP by 2027, and to 3 percent by 2030, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen national security and promote self-sufficiency.

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to raise defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP -- more than double the alliance's current benchmark. Enditem