Minister Krstičević and General Šundov meet with SOCEUR Commander

The Commander of the United States Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) Major General Kirk Smith visited the Croatian Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces.

The Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević and the Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov on 19 November 2019 met with Major General Kirk Smith, the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR).

Minister, Chief of the General Staff and Commander of SACEUR affirmed the excellent bilateral relations; the Croatian side stressed that the United States was Croatia’s first strategic partner in the domain of defence, which provided the support during the Homeland War and during the pre-accession and integration process.

Minister Krstičević emphasised that the support from the U.S. was continued and that the strategic partner assisted Croatia with the development of defence capabilities of its armed forces.

The Minister also said that the co-operation focussed on development of special forces was one of the most important segments of the bilateral co-operation and that the donation of the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters would further upgrade the capabilities of the Croatian special forces.

The Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov extended appreciation for the co-operation and support of the U.S. forces to the Croatian Armed Forces and to the special units, and underlined the importance of the co-operation focussed on the development of the Multinational Special Aviation Programme(MSAP).

Minister Krstičević appreciates Maj. Gen. Smith’s s support with the establishment of the MSAP

Speaking of prospective opening of the Multinational Special Aviation Program (MSAP) in Zadar Minister Krstičević extended appreciation to Maj. Gen. Smith for the support provided throughout the process of establishment.

“We believe that with your support the MSAP will in foreseeable future grow into a NATO Excellence Centre. We see it as a valuable U. S. – Croatian contribution to the Alliance’s overall capabilities, and I hope to see you at the formal opening of the MSAP on 11 December”, said the Minister in his invitation to Maj. Gen. Smith to the event.

The Minister referred to his recent meeting with the U.S. Defense Secretary Espero during the past NATO defence ministers meeting.

“It was a highly productive meeting, during which Secretary Espero commended the Croatian contribution to the Alliance in various domains as well as the contribution of Croatia to the stabilisation of southeast Europe.

SOCEUR Commander praises engagement of members of Croatian Armed Forces in Afghanistan

The two sides agreed that Croatia as a responsibnle Ally provided sizeable contribution wherever possible, and Maj. Gen. Smith commended the professionalism of Croatian Armed Forces deployed in Afghanistan, where he had the occasion to observe their performance.

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