The Adriatic Charter, Xhaçka: Albania will chair A5 in 2019, membership for Kosovo with full rights

Published: Wednesday, 14 November 2018 12:49

 

The Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka participated in the regular meeting of Defence Ministers of the U.S.- Adriatic Charter (Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina) held in Budva (Montenegro) on 13 and 14 November 2018.

Albania, through the Ministry of Defence, will head the A-5, after less than two months. Minister Xhaçka, as the host of the next meeting in Tirana, invited the homologues of the Adriatic Charter member countries to support Albania's initiative to open the doors to other countries that aspire being part of the North Atlantic Alliance.

“It is time that before we ask NATO to open its doors, we must show that we are ready to open doors to each - other, right here in our home. A-5 should be A-6, and the next year, during which Albania will cjair A-5, all we should welcome Kosovo to become part of this Initiative, a precursor for the integration of the region in NATO”, - said Minister Xhaçka during the meeting.

She also underlined the need to strengthen cooperation and political dialogue and it is time for more clarity and long-term vision for common goals. “Albania will always remain committed to the basic values and principles of the Adriatic Charter by continuing the political dialogue and cooperation with the United States of America and the member countries of the A - 5”, said the Defence Minister.

Participants in the meeting, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia Laura Cooper, praised Albania's positive role in the region, particularly regarding to "open door" policy.

At the end, the Ministers of Defence of the Adriatic Charter signed the Joint Statement of the U.S. - Adriatic Charter where they confirmed the commitment to further strengthening of the regional defence co-operation in support to keeping peace and stability in the region