Minister Kotromanović meets with the Minister for Kosovo Security Force
Croatian Defence Minister, Ante Kotromanović, on 24 March 2015 received a visit from the delegation of the Kosovo Security Force, led by the Minister, Haki Demolli.
The ministers signed the Bilateral Plan of Defence Co-operation Plan between the two respective Ministries; they also envisaged more intense bilateral defence co-operation, with the emphasis on military education and training. The Croatian side has invited cadets from Kosovo to enroll in the Croatian Defence Academy “Petar Zrinski“, in addition to the existing courses offered in the Croatian PSOTC.
Croatian Minister commended the excellent political relations between Croatia and Kosovo. “I am glad to see the co-operation continue, and we are determined to expand it, particularly in military education, with two posts in the military study programmes of the Croatian Defence Academy for Kosovo cadets“, said Minister Kotromanović.
Minister Demolli expressed satisfaction with the level of co-operation between the two ministries and extended appreciation for the support provided by the Republic of Croatia and its Ministry of Defence. “ Croatia has expressed the support to Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration ambitions, it is of great value to our Ministry, which is of recent date“, said Minister Demolli.
The two delegations exchanged the experiences regarding international defence co-operation and Euro-Atlantic integration, and outlined the framework for the development of co-operation in military industry; consistently, the Kosovo side was invited to visit the ASDA defence industry exhibition to take place in Croatia in April.
Minister Kotromanović briefed Minister Demolli on the reforms undertaken in the Croatian Armed Forces (primarily through the Long-term Development Plan of the Croatian Armed Forces 2015-2024, defining their target structure and development, equipping and modernisation). “As the Kosovo Security Force is undergoing transformation too, Croatia is ready to provide necessary support to our friends in that regard”.
The ministers Kotromanović and Demolli discussed the current security and political situation in Southeast Europe and emphasised the importance of the support to the aspirant countries in the interest of the lasting stability of the region.
Croatia supports the co-operation at the regional level and the Kosovo’s ambition to join the Adriatic Charter, a highly useful instrument channelling the membership aspirations of the countries in the region. It will continue to support the Republic of Kosovo and advocate the integrity of the Kosovo territory, its Euro-Atlantic orientation and commitment towards structural reforms.
An important topic was the participation of the Croatian Armed Forces in KFOR in Kosovo (since July 2008 – presently the 17th HRVCON is deployed, soon to be succeeded by the 18th).
During the two-day visit to the Republic of Croatia the Kosovo delegation is meeting with the President of the Republic and with the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament.