Meeting of NATO ministers of defence

On the second day of the meeting, chaired by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, defence ministers were joined by their counterparts from Ukraine and Georgia. They exchanged views on the current security situation in the Black Sea region and the Black Sea countries’ co-operation with NATO. On this occasion, NATO defence ministers reiterated their strong support for the full sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and Georgia. Those countries have special partnerships with the Alliance under their NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner (EOP) status. As a result, both Ukraine and Georgia have become even more successful in implementing defence reforms on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration. The allies welcomed these countries’ efforts in their reform processes and agreed to continue providing them with practical assistance. In addition, the ministers thanked Ukraine and Georgia for their contribution to international security through NATO activities, missions, and operations.

Considering that a slightly shorter time format was planned for this session, Defence Minister of Northern Macedonia, Ms. Slavjanka Petrovska, addressed the participants on behalf of Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, and Northern Macedonia. Through a joint declaration, Croatia expressed its unwavering support for Ukrainian and Georgian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Croatian representatives also voiced their concern about Russia’s actions in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans and praised the efforts of Ukraine and Georgia to resolve tensions peacefully through diplomacy. Finally, support was once again expressed for the conclusions of the NATO summit in Bucharest in 2008, NATO’s Open-Door Policy, and the right of each country to decide on its own security arrangements.

The meeting of defence ministers ended with a special session dedicated to NATO-EU cooperation, attended by partners from Finland and Sweden and Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. On that occasion, those present expressed satisfaction with the partnership between NATO and the European Union, one they consider stronger than ever before, which is especially important in the current security situation in Eastern Europe. NATO and the EU work together in many areas critical to European security, such as maintaining stability in the Western Balkans, cyber co-operation, and maritime security in the Mediterranean. Both organizations are working on their new strategic documents – NATO’s Strategic Concept and EU’s Strategic Compass. Although these documents differ in approach, the participants agreed on the need for their complementarity to ensure coherence in the global approach to security. Minister Banožić reiterated Croatia’s position on the current security situation in Eastern Europe. He stated that two basic principles must be adhered to – that resolving conflicts by force is unacceptable and that every nation has the right to choose its own path. In addition, Minister said that for Croatia, as a member of both organizations, it is of the utmost importance to maintain cohesion between NATO and the European Union as well as mutual solidarity because we share responsibility for the security of the Euro-Atlantic area. Mr. Banožić also pointed out that NATO will remain the foundation of European collective security. He agreed that the development of the NATO Strategic Concept and the EU Strategic Compass should be guided by complementarity as a fundamental idea. Minister also expressed hope that the NATO-EU declaration on joint co-operation would be adopted as soon as possible.