Minister Vukelic attends NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Berlin
At the invitation of Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a delegation of the Ministry of Defence and Croatian Armed Forces led by the Minister Branko Vukelic and Chief of General Staff General Josip Lucic took part today, May 11, at the informal meeting of defence ministers of countries contributing forces to Regional Command North (RC North) in the NATO ISAF Operation.
The meeting, held in Berlin, was organized by Germany as the leading country in charge of Regional Command North, with the aim of the discussion on the implementation of the new allied strategy in Afghanistan, increasing of coordination of civilian and military efforts of the Allies, and the transition of responsibility for security in Afghanistan to the Afghan institutions in Regional Command North, in which the Republic of Croatia also participate with its forces.
During a meeting, ministers of defence expressed their unanimous opinion that Afghanistan must not again become a safe haven for international terrorism, since the stable Afghanistan was directly linked to regional and global security and stability. They also discussed the dedication and support of the international community for the Afghan government, and on taking full responsibility for the Afghan security during the coming years. In accordance with the conclusions and guidelines of the Conference on Afghanistan held in London in January this year, long-term focus of the international community remains to train Afghan security forces, both police and armed forces, and on the development and establishment of credible institutions that would lead to the gradual taking over of full responsibility of Afghans and their security forces for the situation in the country.
Also, the defence ministers have unanimously expressed their expectation that the Afghan government meet the guarantees it gave to a conference in London, and so to provide the international community and its citizens a clear and credible sign that it can assume full responsibility for the security of their country.
Minister Vukelic stressed the commitment of the Republic of Croatia to the engagement of the allies and the international community in establishing viable Afghan society for the benefit of the Afghans themselves. Among others, Minister Vukelic stressed the importance of implementing the conclusions of a conference in London and the importance of commitment of Afghan institutions in implementing the tasks undertaken. In support of the development of Afghan Security Forces, the Minister stressed the future Croatia’s contribution in the form of mentoring and instructors capabilities.