Conference “Five Years of Croatia’s Membership in NATO” at the Defence Academy
A two-day conference titled “Five Years of Croatia’s Membership in NATO”, organised by the Croatian Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Atlantic Council was opened at the Croatian Defence Academy today, 1 April 2014.
The Conference is attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Drago Lovrić, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, Kenneth Merten, Chairman of the Croatian Atlantic Council Radovan Vukadinović, Defence Advisor to the President of the Republic of Croatia, Zlatko Gareljić, representatives of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, scholars and representatives of businesses in Croatia.
“Within a short time period we converted our forces from a large and territorially-based military into modern Armed Forces, whose professionalism and abilities have received confirmation from the Allies and partners in a number of international operations”, stated the Chief of the General Staff, General Drago Lovrić, who also emphasised the paramount importance of the regional co-operation with the countries of Southeast and Central Europe alike.
The U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Merten congratulated Croatia on the fifth anniversary of membership, saying that it was a great honour to be Croatia’s partner and Ally in the Alliance. „It has really been a historic occasion for Croatia and NATO alike”, said the Ambassador, who added that the Croatian membership has also enhanced NATO, particularly in Kosovo and Afghanistan.
“The Croatian Armed Forces have provided valuable contribution over the past five years of Croatia’s full membership in NATO, and Croatia has grown into an equal partner through a series of operations world-wide. Croatia is faced with further intensive co-operation in the Alliance and taking the position levelled with other NATO nations, but also with the efforts on the future membership of its neighbours too“ , stated Professor Radovan Vukadinović in his opening address. .
The Conference was closed with a documentary “Five Years of Croatia’s Membership in NATO”, produced by the Public Affairs and Publishing Service of the Ministry of Defence.
[nggallery id=1387]
Video
{video}nato_5_godina_01042014|620|560{/video}