Strengthening regional cooperation through A5 initiative

In addition to the delegations of the signatory countries of the US-Adriatic Charter – U.S., Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the ministerial meeting was attended by NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning Hüseyin Diriöz, Minister of Kosovo Security Forces Agim Çeku, representatives of the Hellenic Republic, the Republic of Slovenia and representatives of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

Meeting of Ministers was conceived as a meeting of regional leaders and their strategic partners on the subject of a constructive “Dialogue on common challenges and solutions” of countries in the region, where the main focus of discussion was the challenges of global economic crisis, energy security, Euro-Atlantic aspirations of countries in the region, and prospects of finding regional solutions to ensure sustainable peace, development and stability in South-eastern Europe.

Minister Kotromanović during the meeting strongly supported the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of countries in the region, particularly in the context of the upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago. Minister also stressed the need for stronger linkages of cooperation within the Charter with the transformation process in NATO. Implementation of projects within the regional security cooperation under the aegis of NATO Smart Defence Concept was highlighted as an example that could give added value to cooperation within the Charter.

During the meeting, ministers signed the Joint Statement of Ministers of the Charter Member State in which they welcomed strengthening of regional cooperation, continuation in providing mutual support on the path to integration into Euro-Atlantic structures and the continued “open doors” policy for all countries of the region that aspire for Alliance membership.

The delegation of the Defence Ministry who participated in the meeting of defence ministers of the signatory countries of the US-Adriatic Charter was accompanied by a delegation of Croatian businessmen – representatives of the Croatian defence industry. The delegation of Croatian businessmen had a series of meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia, during which they introduced bilateral partners with production capabilities and with products.

On the sidelines of the A5 ministerial meeting, Minister Ante Kotromanović held bilateral meetings with heads of delegations of the United States, the Republic of Kosovo, the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Montenegro.

During his meeting with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, Ph.D. Celeste A. Wallander, the exemplary bilateral cooperation particularly in the field of defence was highlighted. On this occasion, Minister Kotromanović stressed further commitment of Croatia to goals of NATO and the importance of regional defence cooperation within the US-Adriatic Charter. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence particularly welcomed the Croatian role in the region and contribution to the Allied efforts in operations.

In addition to bilateral meeting with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Wallander, Minister Kotromanović held the first bilateral meeting with the newly appointed Minister of Defence of the Republic of Montenegro, Milica Pejanović-Đurišić. During the meeting they emphasized good bilateral relations and in particular highlighted joint efforts within the School of Military Police in Kabul, where Croatia has the role of leading nation.

Minister Kotromanović also met with Minister of Kosovo Security Forces Agim Ceku. During the meeting Minister Kotromanović expressed Croatia’s support to continuity and progress in keeping the Belgrade-Priština dialogue. Croatia’s engagement as part of the Allied involvement on Kosovo in order to achieve and preserve regional security, stability and development was also confirmed.

Meeting of Minister Kotromanović with Albanian Defence Minister Arben Imami was used for the exchange of opinions regarding the future cooperation within the US-Adriatic Charter.

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