Minister Xhaçka met the Deputy Prime Minister at the same time Defence Minister of Croatia Mr. Krstičević

Published: Friday, 06 April 2018 12:15

The two personalities expressed readiness to increase their cooperation, as the two countries are factors of stability in the Western Balkans.
Albania and Croatia expressed readiness to strengthen their bilateral co-operation in the field of Defense, as well as mutual assistance in cases of natural disasters.
On the 9th Anniversary of NATO membership of the two countries, Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka received in Tirana the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Mr. Krstičević, who is paying a two-day visit in our country.


Minister Xhaçka described Albania and Croatia as distinguished and reliable allies of NATO, and she praised the two countries' contribution in all the Alliance commitments.
Mrs. Xhaçka expressed her gratitude for the attention that Croatia has dedicated to the Republic of Kosovo by making it part of regional initiatives.
The two personalities expressed readiness to increase their cooperation, as the two countries are factors of stability in the Western Balkans.
Minister Xhaçka informed her interlocutor about the aims that our country has for the modernization of the Armed Forces, as well as discussed about the increment of their capacities."I informed my interlocutor about the aims that we have to modernize the Armed Forces. In this context our staff will see the possibility of developing a co-operation plan, by assessing the practical and military fields of convergence between our institutions and the Armed Forces. Education, training and joint exercises will be the possible and very productive fields," - emphasized the minister.
Part of the discussions was also the mutual aid in the case of natural disasters, of which Albania and Croatia have recently been affected.


The Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister supported the establishment of the NATO Excellence Center for studying the phenomenon of Foreign Terrorists Fighters. Minister Xhaçka invited his country to contribute to the well-functioning of this center.
The high official Croatian praised Albania's commitment to all NATO operations, and offered concrete support and co-operation in the Defence field. "We are ready and we offer our support in the near future to make possible the air policing of the Albanian space. The 12 aircraft that we will get by 2022 from our ally, Israel, will enable us to increase our capacity for such missions", said Krstičević.

Minister Xhaçka appreciated the proposal by saying that it is an issue to be discussed in the future.

At the end of the meeting between the two delegations, the two officials had a press release.

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The full Statement of the Defense Minister, Mrs.Olta Xhaçka:

Dear participants,

Today I feel honored and pleased to receive the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Mr. Krstičević
This visit is paid in a very significant symbolism, such as the 9th anniversary of Albania and Croatia full membership in the North Atlantic Alliance. Since that time we have made a long way together and today we are distinguished and reliable allies of NATO. This fact is also evidenced by the cooperation we have with Croatia within the Permanent Mission in Afghanistan.

I thanked my colleague Mr. Krstičević for his country's support to Albania in the Euro-Atlantic integration process. At the same time, I expressed my gratitude for the attention that Croatia has shown to Kosovo, by making it part of regional initiatives.
Our main priority is to further advance regional cooperation in order to promote political stability, security and economic prosperity. We consider it a cornerstone for the further integration of Western Balkan countries into NATO and EU.

I informed my interlocutor about the aims that we have for the modernization of the Armed Forces. In this context, our staffs will see the possibility of developing a co-operation plan, assessing the practical and military fields of convergence between our institutions and the Armed Forces. Education, training and joint exercises will be the possible and very productive areas.

We discussed about the Albanian contribution to the missions and operations of the Alliance, as those of the European Union, as well as to the increased attention to address the hybrid risks, especially in the fight against terrorism. One of the topics of discussion between the two delegations was the initiative we have undertaken to finalize the establishment of the Center of Excellence for studying the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters. In this aspect, we value every support and also a real contribution of Croatia to the establishment and well-functioning of this center.

I also assured my Croatian counterpart that Albania and its Armed Forces will continue to assume responsibility and contribute within the Alliance to meet security and defense challenges in the new geopolitical context and in particular the destabilizing actions at the eastern borders of NATO.

Thank You!