3rd Central Europe Chiefs of Defense Conference
The two-day 3rd Central Europe Chiefs of Defense Conference, organised by he US. European Command (EUCOM) ended in Split on 20 March 2014.
The sessions of 20 March were opened by the address by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipović as Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces. President Josipović extended appreciation to the organiser – the EUCOM for organising the Conference in Croatia.
“The Conference taking place in the 5th year of Croatia’s membership in NATO is a recognition of the commitment demonstrated by the Croatian soldiers and the entire population of Croatia towards building of democracy, stability and security at the regional and global scale”, stated President Josipović, who also said that only joint efforts by political and military subjects could guarantee future peace- and security-keeping initiatives world-wide, which he exemplified by the successful examples of ISAF and KFOR.
The Conference was attended by the Chiefs of Defence of Croatia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as by the Commanders or Deputy Commanders of National Guards of Illinois, Ohio, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, Nebraska, Tennessee and Alabama.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Drago Lovrić in his address emphasised the importance of the matters associated with today’s security and defence and the exchange of the proposals for further development of the bilateral U.S.-Croatia co-operation and of participation in joint and multi-lateral projects.
General Lovrić also highlighted the joint U.S. and Croatian forces operation in ISAF, in which Croatia has participated for 11 years and stated that it is remaining present in Afghanistan in the post-2014 period. “By participating in ISAF and KFOR we at once confirm our commitment to the world peace and contribute to the overall NATO capabilities as its member nation”, said Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces.
General Philip Breedlove, SACEUR and Commander of the U.S. troops in Europe expressed appreciation to the Republic of Croatia and its Armed Forces for their important contribution to the development and enhancement of democratic values within the NATO framework. Furthermore, General Breedlove underlined Croatia’s membership in NATO in the light of its contribution to the stability and co-operation within the region and the security of the Alliance as a whole.
SACEUR also commended Croatia’s contribution to NATO-led operations, training and exercise activities as exemplified by its participation in ISAF and KFOR respectively.