Two-day Zagreb-Istanbul train ride project GlobSec Express II launched Wednesday

This is the second phase of the project of symbolic visits to the old and new NATO and Partnership for Peace members, bearing messages regarding this year’s NATO summit in Bucharest, at which Croatia was one of the countries to receive the membership invitation. This project also marks the beginning of the commemoration of the coming 60th NATO anniversary.

State Secretary Božinović pointed out that project GlobSec Express has already proven its significance last year, when a train left from Bratislava to Zagreb, and is symbolically showing this year that the NATO enlargement process has not ended. He also noted that one of the project’s basic ideas was to offer a unique platform for young people from South Eastern Europe and NATO members to informally discuss, by socializing in a moving train and through a series of debates, workshops and seminars, the security issues and future of the region within the context of Euro-Atlantic integration. The train to Istanbul is carrying 50-odd young people from a dozen countries dealing with issues of international security and NATO, including professionals and officials, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations.

Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy Stefanie Babst described GloBsec Express as one of the most unique NATO programs and an important political project for the region of South Eastern Europe.