Assistant Minister for Multilateral Affairs and Global Issues Vesna Batistić Kos headed a Croatian delegation at a meeting of the US-Adriatic Charter political directors held 17 February 2015 in Sarajevo.
The meeting marked the beginning of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s one-year presidency over the initiative, so the host country presented the 2015 activities plan. The meeting, apart from Croatia and BiH, was attended by other Charter members: Albania, Montenegro and Macedonia.
The participants discussed the current political situation in Southeast Europe, with an emphasis on the Euro-Atlantic integration processes in the countries of the region, and reviewed the reforms NATO aspirants were implemented along their path to membership. The meeting also underscored lasting willingness to cooperate in areas of mutual interest, notably joint projects pertaining to the international community’s continued presence in Afghanistan. Also discussed were the present security challenges at the Alliance’s borders.
Batistić Kos voiced Croatia’s strong support for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of SEE countries, both bilaterally and within the Charter. She reviewed the aspirants’ results so far, stressing the importance of reforms. The participants were hopeful that a consensus on Kosovo’s Charter membership request would be reached soon.