Defence Minister Kodheli held meeting with the Defence Minister of Croatia

: Published: Monday, 23 June 2014 13:16

The Minister of Defence, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli held today a special meeting with the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Ante Kotromanović, who is in an official visit to our country.

Minister Kodheli welcomed her Croatian counterpart in Tirana, and stressed, at the very beginning of the meeting, that bilateral cooperation between our two countries and cooperation in the framework of regional initiatives, Adriatic Charter and NATO might be considered as excellent.

Both defence ministers discussed about deepening cooperation and about a major role that both countries, as NATO members, should play in the region. “Our two countries have followed the same path toward NATO membership. Meanwhile, Croatia is the best example to Albania on the path of full integration to EU. We thank the Croatian people for the unconditional support they have always given”, - highlighted Minister Kodheli. She praised the support Croatia has given and continues to give to Kosovo, being consistent in the common wish to see it integrated in all regional initiatives.

Regarding the bilateral cooperation, Mrs. Kodheli assessed as very necessary the exchange of information, especially for the control of air and marine space, as a way to minimize illegal phenomena or external hazards.

The Defence Minister of Croatia, Mr. Ante Kotromanović thanked the Defence Minister of Albania, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli for the reception and guaranteed his counterpart that “Croatia supports Albania and gives its contribution to obtain the statues of candidate country”.

During the meeting, both officials discussed issues of common interest such as, education and joint exercises in the framework of “Smart Defence”, as well as participation in peacekeeping missions around the world.

The Croatian Defence Minister, Mr. Ante Kotromanović held earlier a meeting with Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, discussing about the relations between our two countries considering them as excellent.