A-5 Defence Ministers meeting

The meeting was divided into two sessions,  with the topics comprising the strategic discussion on the security threats to the European security, with particular stress on southeast Europe  and the expectations from  NATO Summit to be held in Warsaw in July 2016.

The host Defence Minister, Ante Kotromanović  in his address during the working lunch emphasised the events over the past two years which have radically changed the relatively secure and stable environment in southeast Europe and the entire continent. Owing to their specific geostrategic position the southeast European countries are vulnerable to security threats coming from the east and the south, mandating the joint operation and continued integration of the Charter member countries as well as other southeast Europe countries declaring the interest to join the Euro-Atlantic security structure. Regarding the expectations from the Warsaw Summit, Minister stated the Republic of Croatia would continue to support Open Door Policy and the partnerships as critical items on NATO agenda.

The plenary session entailed the discussion on the prospects for the U.S. Adriatic Charter, the current and the future contriibutions to peace support operations and co-operation projects within the Initiative. The Representative of NATO Communications and Information Agency held a presentation on the Balkan Regional Approach to Air Defence (BRAAD) project.

During the second session  Minister Kotromanović underlined that the overarching objective of the Initiative was full membership of all the member countries in NATO, and focused on the progress made by  Montenegro, and stated Croatian expectations for the invitation to NATO by the end of the year.  The Minister called on other aspirant countries of southeast Europe to persevere on their path towards NATO.

Regarding the joint participation in the operations, Minister Kotromanović emphasised the need for continued joint efforts within the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and for participation in other operations where possible. The joint operation requires interoperability maintenance and upgrade, which is only viable through concrete joint training and practice events. Addressing the capability building subject the Minister recommended the reliance on the existing NATO initiatives, such as Smart Defence, the Connected Forces Initiative and the Lead Nation Concept, as the best platforms for future co-operation within the A-5 Initiative.

The ministers signed the joint statement of the U.S. Adriatic Charter, expressing strong support to the Open Door Policy, the continued participation in the Allies’ operations and missions and continued work on projects and capabilities building tailored to the needs of the Alliance.
The Republic of Croatia, taking over the chairing of the U.S. Adriatic Charter in 2016, has committed to further enhance the co-operation among the A-5 countries. In that regard Croatia’s efforts during the chairmanship of the Initiative will be focused on four main points: the contribution to the international security, the interoperability and readiness, capabilities building and the contribution to the response to the current and future threats.
The Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Marina Pendeš on behalf of the current chairing country of the Initiative expressed the satisfaction over the crucial topics, relevant for the EU and NATO and the countries of the region alike, discussed in the A-5 initiative with the observer countries (Kosovo, Slovenia and Serbia). “ I have taken the opportunity to express our gratitude to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia and the Minister himself for the support provided within the A-5 format, and particularly to the aspirant countries. We have today discussed the threats and challenges we are faced with and we can expect in future and have made the conclusion on the importance of further enhancing our regional cooperation in order to efficiently address any crisis that may arise“, stated the Defence Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

The Croatian Defence Minister, Ante Kotromanović stated following the meeting that the US. Adriatic Charter was a highly significant initiative established 12 years earlier, with the specific goal to support its members on their way to NATO membership. “We have made notable progress in that regard, as Croatia and Albania became NATO members, which is expected for Montenegro as well, and we are now assisting Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to finalise the overall NATO integration process. It is our interest, and Croatia is  investing further efforts to support the two countries“. The Minister also said that the ministers discussed the co-operation, joint training programmes and operations, as the A-5 members are operating jointly in Afghanistan.

The U.S. – Adriatic Charter was a joint initiative of Albania, Croatia, Macedonia and the United States of America, with the goal to assist the aspirant countries in their efforts towards NATO. The official document “A Charter of Partnership among Macedonia, Albania, Croatia and the United States of America” was signed in Tirana, Albania in May 2003. The Initiative was subsequently  joined by Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina  and Serbia assumed the observer status, and the title was renamed A-5 in 2008, symbolising the present membership. 

The U.S Adriatic Charter constitutes a strategic partnership among its members, recognising the common aspirations towards enhanced bilateral and multilateral relations between the member countries and other countries of southeast Europe, aimed at security and full integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic political, economic, security and defence institutions.

Answering the questions from the journalists on the migrant crisis and Slovenia’s decision to deploy troops to secure its borders, the Croatian Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović said it was the decision of the Slovenian side, but and that the Republic of Croatia had sufficient police forces to keep order and peace in the territory and along the borders. “We have successfully managed the situation from the outset and handled the situations we faced, such as the increased inflow of migrants“. The Minister also said that the reception centre at Opatovac was well-organised and announced another camp to be set up in Slavonski Brod. The Armed Forces have provided logistic support. The Minister praised the efforts of the police forces, the Red Cross and all services and volonteers doing a hard and very responsible job in the field. “The Croatian Prime Minister is to attend the Prime Ministers meeting in Bruxelles on Sunday, alongside the Prime Ministers of Macedonia, Serbia, Austria and Germany, to consider  the possibilities and future activities”, concluded Minister Kotromanović.