Minister Kotromanović visits the Republic of Macedonia

The two ministers discussed the bilateral and military-technical co-operation, the ongoing regional co-operation and initiatives and the conclusions and the plans issued at the NATO Wales Summit. Discussing the situation in the Southeast Europe, the Croatian Minister reiterated Croatia’s  commitment to fully support the aspirant countries with their integration.  MinistarKotromanović highlighted the military-technical co-operation as a of proof of excellent bilateral relations.

“Two agreements have been signed today – the Technical Agreement on Military-Technical Co-operation and the Memorandum of Understanding on Exchange of Public Relations Experts. The efforts have been invested into enhancing the Croatian and the friendly Macedonian Armed Forces alike, through joint operations the kind of we conducted in Afghanistan, which evinced the excellent bilities and professionalism of Macedonian soldiers and we shall gladly continue the co-operation.

The Republic of Croatia advocates the open door policy- and the entry of Macedonia into NATO as a guarantee for the future and the security of the region“, stated Minister Kotromanović.

Appreciating the valuable support provided by the Republic of Croatia as NATO and the EU country, the Macedonian Minister emphasised the Adriatic Charter as a highly efficient pre-accession instrument for aspirant for the members (Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina). “The integration of these countries NATO is highly important for the security and stability of the entire region. The Macedonian armed forces are undergoing comprehensive reforms aimed at enhancing their efficiency and professionalism, which is of interest for NATO as well“.
Croatia also invited Macedonia to train its cadets inthe Military Management/Military Engineering study programmes run by the Croatian Defence Academy, as well as the possibility of specialist training within the BRAAD (Balkan Regional Approach to Air Defence Initiative)in the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence and in the Support Command as of 2016. 

Furthermore, the two sides commended the joint participation in the exercises, particularly in the Resolute Support Mission.  Minister Kotromanović welcomed Macedonia’s decision to join the 2. HRVCON in Resolute Support with the A-5 countries, and expressed conviction in successful completion of the mission, as was the case with ISAF.
They also considered new models of the transfer of experience related to the security and the EU defence policy, and suggested to continue and expand the co-operation in education and training for the members of the two respective armed forces.

The new Technical Agreement, signed between the two ministries of defence with regard to military technical co-operation and further defence-related training, entails the co-operation and the engagement of Croatian experts, who recently completed the testing of the helicopters of the Macedonian Air Force and the 32 hours Mi-helicopter simulator training opportunity offered by Macedonia in return (to be conducted in the Macedonian Air Force’s Pilot Training Centre).

The Macedonian Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski and MinisterKotromanović reaffirmed the traditionally friendly bilateral relations; PM Gruevski  strongly welcomed the current status and the prospects of the defence co-operation, beside the good economic co-operation between the two countries, with Croatia as one of the Macedonia’s leading trade partners.