SACEUR delivers lecture at the Croatian Army Academy

In the lecture, titled “Security in the 21st Century”, admiral Stavridis stressed the presence of many challenges to international security today, such as ongoing wars, crisis spots, terrorism, violent extremisms, human and drug trafficking, cyber threats and the like, which are growing more complex and technically more sophisticated and require co-operation and mutual understanding among NATO and its partners to respond to them. „Building the bridges“, said Admiral Stavridis,“is crucial for the security in the 21st century. The past century was characterised by the opposite – division and walls erected between nations, resulting in innumerable conflicts and casualties“.

In the media statement following the lecture, Lt. Gen. Lovrić extended appreciation to Admiral Stavridis for visiting Croatia and emphasised that the Admiral and the Croatian state and Armed Forces representatives discussed all topics of relevance for both NATO and Croatia, as well as the topics related to the situation and co-operation in the region and in Afghanistan in the post-2014 period.

In addition, Admiral Stavridis emphasised the great contribution of Croatia to the Allied operations in Afghanistan, in Kosovo and elsewhere and stated: „The Croatian soldiers, Navy staff and officers distinguished themselves for their professionalism, competence and benefit to NATO“. At the meeting with the President of the Republic, Mr. Ivo Josipović, Admiral said that the Republic of Croatia and NATO can always rely on each other as Allies.

During the staff talks held today at the Tuškanac Barracks the SACEUR and the Croatian hosts exchanged views on the most important areas of co-operation between NATO and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, with the emphasis on NATO-led peace support operations where Croatian Armed Forces participate, as well as on the situation in South-East Europe and the role Croatia has in enhancing security and trust among the countries in the regions and on NATO’s continuing enlargement and  „Open Door“ policy towards them.

Admiral Stavridis presented to Lt. Gen. Lovrić, the United States’ „Legion of Merit“, a military medal that is only awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct to the members of the U. S. Armed Forces or to deserving foreign military and political dignitaries.