Defence Minister and Chief of GS meet with U.S. senators

The U.S-. delegation, on a two-day visit to Croatia, included senators Roy Blunt, John Cornyn, Susan Collins, Thad Collins, Tom Cotton and Thom Tills, accompanied by the U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, H. E. Julieta Valls Noyes and the  Defence Attaché, Colonel Robert Mathers 
Minister Krstičević and the U.S. senators affirmed the excellent bilateral co-operation between  the U.S. and Croatia, particularly in the domains of security and defence. The two sides emphasised that the relations have further intensified and diversified, crowned with the recent successful meeting between Minister Krstičević and the U.S. Secretary of Defense Mattis in Washington.
Having briefed the senators on the outcome of his recent visit to the United States and of  the talks wiith Secretary Mattis, Minister Krstičević extended appreciation to the United States for the assistance provided through the donations of equipment, weapons, training and education, strategic airlift to the international missions locations and other formats of defence co-operation, which has been a valuable support to the development of the Croatian defence capabilities.
Reviewing the situation in Croatia’s neighbourhood and in southeast Europe in general, the two sides  emphasised the values and the commitment to peace and stability in the region shared by both countries. Minister Krstičević stressed that the stability of southeast Europe was the primary interest of the Republic of Croatia, and of importance for the overall stability of Europe which required the accelerated European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries from the region.
The head of the U.S. senator delegation Roy Blunt extended the appreciation to Minister Krstičević and to the Republic of Croatia for the efforts towards international security and peace support missions and the overall security and defence co-operation. Senator Blunt emphasised that the United States highly appreciated the contribution of Croatia which has a status of a strategic and credible ally and partner. The Senator also appreciated the information received during the visit and stated that the United States would always back Croatia within NATO and in the international community. “Croatia merits and can always count on the support from the U.S., in the matters of security and defence and with the overall development“.
Minister Krstičević and the senators expressed satisfaction over the meeting and announced a continued and deepened bilateral co-operation and joint contribution to the international security and to the peace and stability in Europe.
The U.S. senators delegation visite the Lora Navy Port in Split, where they met with the Commander of the Croatian Navy, Rear admiral Predrag Stipanović and the Director of the Military Security and Intelligence Agency, Brigadier General Ivica Kinder, with whom they discussed the bilateral defence co-operation. .
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