“The discussions at this ministerial meeting of the U.S. – Adriatic Charter are a proof of our strong commitment to the advancement of security cooperation and the promotion of peace, stability and good neighborly relations in our region,” said Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski, who is participating today (4 December) in the U.S.– Adriatic Charter ministerial meeting in Tirana.
The Minister said during the working sessions of the meeting that the political-military cooperation of the Balkan countries and the commitment of the countries of Southeast Europe to the European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes are of the greatest importance for strengthening regional security and stability. Cooperation within the A5 group, Misajlovski said, is practical and sends a clear message that our peoples want to live in peace, security and stability. He defined the U.S. – Adriatic Charter a successful forum for consultations among countries with shared democratic values.
Misajlovski called for pragmatism regarding the possibilities for joint activities, especially in dealing with hybrid and cyber threats, crisis management and dealing with various natural disasters. Regarding future activities, the Minister indicated that member states should continue efforts to identify new opportunities for cooperation, mentioning areas such as resilience building and cyber defense.
The implementation of the U.S. – Adriatic Charter 2024 Action Plan in a complex security situation, he said, reflects our determination in expanding the scope of joint cooperation.
Minister Misajlovski together with other representatives from the A5 member countries signed a joint statement after the meeting.
On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, this afternoon Minister Misajlovski will have separate meetings with his Albanian counterpart, Minister Piro Vengu, and with the US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Celeste Wallander.
The U.S. – Adriatic Charter was established by a Partnership Charter between our country, the USA, Albania and Croatia in 2003. The A-5 format existed by 2009, when Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the Charter. A-5 observer countries are Slovenia, Kosovo and Serbia. The goal of this initiative is a joint and coordinated approach to meeting NATO criteria and standards, promoting cooperation in Southeast Europe and strengthening peace, democracy, and stability in the region.
