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Croatia’s parliament has voted to reintroduce mandatory military service, a decision the EU and NATO member state took on Friday.
The move reflects heightened European tensions following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, as well as the apparent arms race and military buildup in the Balkans, a region torn by conflict in the 1990s.
Lawmakers in the 151-member parliament approved the legal changes by a vote of 84-11, with 30 abstentions. Public broadcaster HRT reported that the two-month service would provide “basic military training”.
The decision marks the return of conscription, which was suspended in 2008 when the country shifted to a volunteer system.
Croatia’s Defense Ministry said it aims to teach young people basic skills and knowledge that are “essential in crisis situations, so that they can contribute to national security.”
Officials will start calling soldiers born in 2007 for medical examination by the end of the year. Soldiers will receive pay, and conscientious objectors can choose civilian service instead hrt The report said.
Croatia is boosting its armed forces at a time when many European countries fear war ukraine may spread or be attacked Russia,
Croatia held a large military parade in July, marking a major victory in the 1991–95 war that followed its independence from the former. Yugoslaviarelations with wartime enemy serbia The situation has remained tense since the 1990s.