Special U.-S. Adriatic Charter Defence Ministers Meeting: Readier and stronger together
On the occasion of the official visit of the U. S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis to the Republic of Croatia on 13 July 2018 a Special U.-S. Adriatic Charter Defence Ministers Meeting was held, chaired by the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević and Predrag Bošković, the Defence Minister of Montenegro which currently chairs the Charter.
Alongside ministers Krstičević, Mattis and Bošković the Meeting was also attended by the defence ministers and senior representatives of the U.S.- Adriatic Charter member countries – the Defence Minister of Albania Olta Xhaçka, the Defence Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Marina Pendeš, the Defence Minister of Montenegro Predrag Bošković, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Macedonia Radmila Shekjerinska-Jankovska – and the senior representatives of the observer countries – the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj, the Minister of Kosovo Security Force Rrustem Berisha and the Defence Minister of Slovenia Andreja Katič.
In his opening address Minister Krstičević underlined the importance of the U.S.- Adriatic Charter as an initiative that is fulfilling its purpose and gradually introducing all countries of southeast Europe into the most successful alliance in history.
“Today’s security threats exceed the capacities of any country for itself. So along with the development of own national capabilities we are committed to building partnerships with other countries, and the U.S.- Adriatic Charter is a good example of true partnership“, said Minister Krstičević and also emphasised that Croatian soldiers in the field represented a committed and responsible country“.
“The way we are batting beyond our category is seen in other domains too, as exemplified by the football World Cup that we are winning on Sunday“, said Minister Krstičević.
In his address Minister extended appreciation to the United States for its continuous support: “In security and defence we have always learned and intend to learn only from the best. We hope our contributions will always be appreciated and not taken for granted“.
Minister Krstičević underlined the importance of the meeting both for Croatia and for southeast Europe, evidenced by the presence of the United States Secretary of Defense James Mattis, which reinforced the commitment of the United States to stability of southeast Europe.
“Croatia is a committed and responsible member of NATO Alliance, as showcased by its years-long contribution to the stabilisation of the situation in Afghanistan and Kosovo and the current engagement in Poland and Lithuania within NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence. In addition to our international engagement, we also bear responsibility for our partners from southeast Europe we shall continue our defence co-operation with to enhance interoperability of our armed forces. The US-Adriatic Charter has topped our regional cooperation, and our goal is to extend it for as long as it takes”, said Minister Krstičević.