Minister Vukelic on bilateral visit to Montenegro
Croatian Defence Minister Branko Vukelic and his associates paid today, July 5, a bilateral visit to Montenegro, where he met with Montenegro Defence Minister Boro Vucinic and President Filip Vujanovic. At the meeting of defence ministers of Croatia and Montenegro, topics discussed were defence cooperation in the region, participation of the two countries in regional initiatives, reforming the defence system, as well as further cooperation in military training of members of armed forces of Montenegro on the Croatian Military Academy.
In terms of military training and cooperation, it was agreed to provide helicopter training of Montenegro officers in CAF Pilot School. The discussion was also on the guidelines for further defence cooperation between the two countries and possible joint OMLT of the two countries for the ISAF peace support mission in Afghanistan. They also discussed the experiences of the Republic of Croatia regarding accession to NATO, as well as Croatia’s support for preparations and participation of the Armed Forces of Montenegro in NATO peace support operations. The Republic of Croatia will provide support to Montenegro in the coordination and defence cooperation aimed at achieving NATO standards. Joint cooperation in the Coast Guard and Air Force fields was agreed as well.
In a statement to the media Minister Vukelic expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation between Croatia and Montenegro, stressing that there was a possibility for the qualitative upgrading of cooperation, particularly regarding Montenegro’s accession to NATO.
“Experiences of the Republic of Croatia can greatly assist Montenegro on its path to full NATO membership”, Minister Vukelic said and stressed that the Croatian Government gives full support to Montenegro in implementing reforms and achieving the set criteria for candidate countries in NATO. Minister Vukelic also stressed that the two countries would examine the possibility of cooperation of the military and other industry in equipping and modernization of the Croatian and Montenegro armed forces.
Minister Vucinic thanked the Croatian counterpart for the support and concrete advice about joining Montenegro to NATO, stressing that Croatia with its experiences could greatly help Montenegro in achieving this foreign policy goal.
During the visit to Montenegro, Croatian Defence Ministry delegation visited the air base of the Montenegro Armed Forces, where they were presented with the Centre for helicopter pilot training, uniforms, weapons and equipment of Montenegro Armed Forces. Also, delegation of Ministry of Defence, comprising of the Minister of Defence Branko Vukelic, MOD State Secretary Pjer Simunovic, Commander of the Croatian Navy Rear Admiral (UH) Ante Urlic, Commander of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence Major General Vlado Bagaric and Director of the MOD Development, Equipping and Modernization Department Brigadier General Milan Knezevic, met with members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, who would be sent to NATO ISAF peace support mission in Afghanistan as a second contingent of the Armed Forces of Montenegro.