Minister Bozinovic with US Defence Secretary Gates

Defence Minister Davor Bozinovic met on Wednesday, 2 February 2011, in Washington, the U.S. Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates, which further confirmed a very good cooperation between U.S. and Croatia in the defence field as well.

Defence Minister Davor Bozinovic met on Wednesday, 2 February 2011, in Washington, the U.S. Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates, which further confirmed a very good cooperation between U.S. and Croatia in the defence field as well. During the meeting it was pointed out that the United States give great importance to relations with Croatia, which they see as an ally and a regional leader, and that the military relations between the two countries were particularly diverse and in significant rise. The issue of military cooperation in terms of scope and structure is one of the most important areas of cooperation and this cooperation between Croatia and the United States will continue and intensify, as it was concluded at the meeting. Minister Gates stressed that "the U.S. sees Croatia as a natural leader and an ally in the region, the U.S. recognizes Croatia's role in promoting peace and stability in the neighbourhood and pointed out that the U.S. supports Croatia to complete negotiations with the European Union as soon as possible, since Croatia is seen as major promoter of Euro-Atlantic values to the rest in the region". Minister Bozinovic talked with the U.S. Defence Secretary about a specific initiative of establishing a military academy in Kabul in which besides Croatia, would involve other countries in NATO, and they also discussed the potential of the Croatian military industry and its opportunities for greater involvement in NATO procurement, which means stronger cooperation with companies in the U.S.

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