On 24th October, the parliament of Croatia voted to bring back compulsory military service in the European Union and NATO member states.
The action is occurring in the backdrop of a rising tension in Europe due to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, and an apparent arms race and military build-up in the Balkans, which experienced a bloody war in the 1990s.
“The lawmakers accepted legal changes with an 84-11 vote, which was voted in favor 30 times in the 151-member parliament. The two-month army service will offer basic military training,” public broadcaster HRT said.
This ruling is a revival of the conscription process that had been halted in 2008 after the nation had to move to a volunteer force.
The Defense Ministry of Croatia reported that it is to educate young people on the basic skills and knowledge that are required during a crisis situation, as they would be applied in national security.
By the end of the year, authorities will begin summoning conscripts born in 2007 to medical checkups. There will be a salary given to the conscripts, and the conscientious objectors will be given the option of civilian service instead, the HRT report said.
Croatia has been increasing its military strength, while most European nations are concerned that the war in Ukraine may spill over or it can be attacked by Russia.
In July, Croatia had a massive military procession to celebrate one of the most significant successes of the war of 1991-95 that led to its separation from former Yugoslavia. The relations with the war enemy Serbia, have been strained since the 1990s.
