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| Olta Xhaçka (left) and Damir Krstičević |
Albania and Croatia will significantly increase the co-operation on defense and security following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krstičević and the Albanian Minister Olta Xhaçka during her official visit to Zagreb, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of membership of these two countries in NATO.
At the meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister and the Croatian Defense Minister Krstičević with Minister Xhacka, excellent bilateral relations were evaluated over the years, as well as discussing the current security challenges in the Western Balkans.The two ministers shared the same view that the membership of Albania and Croatia in NATO has further contributed to the stability of the region.
The Minister Krstičević expressed his happiness in signing the memorandum and expressed gratitude for our country that responded positively to Croatia's request for a joint exercise within the 10th anniversary of NATO membership.
"I am pleased to sign today a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Defense, which will provide additional incentives and will provide a good basis for further development of our cooperation. I thank Albania, which confirmed the participation in the International Military Exercise "Immediate Response 19", organized by Croatia on the occasion of the anniversary of NATO membership "- said the Croatian Minister.
For her part, Minister Xhaçka urged Croatia to continue to support Kosovo in its Euro-Atlantic integration path.
Also she appreciated the importance of the memorandum, which is signed 16 years after and that fits the challenges of the time.
"After 16 years, I am convinced that this memorandum will bring a new impetus to the defense cooperation between our two countries, as I am convinced that this new memorandum of understanding will also redirect the focus of interoperability in the field of Defense and Security between our countries, adapting to new challenges, specific needs, mutual bilateral engagement, but also regional and NATO co-operation.
We are confident that from now on, our cooperation will be even more qualitative, serving as a key element in the interests of security and stability in the Western Balkans region and in the Euro-Atlantic area," said Minister Xhaçka.
Part of the conversation between the two ministers was also the cooperation in the field of military education and training, within which the Albanian military could become part of the Maritime Naval Studies Center in Split.
During her visit to Croatia, the Minister Xhaçka also met with Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković and Deputy Prime Minister and at the same time Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Marija Pejčinović Burić.