Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Wednesday hosted a meeting of the member states and observer countries of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter (A5), which wrapped up Croatia’s successful presidency of that initiative.
Apart from the A5 member states (Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the U.S.), the meeting also saw the observer countries: Kosovo, Slovenia, and Serbia. The participants reiterated the importance of the A5, which since its inception in 2003 has played an important role in assisting the Southeast European countries in their Euro-Atlantic integration. The U.S.’ continuous support to the process was highlighted. The participants also underlined support for all Southeast European countries joining the EU, which would consolidate the European project.
In addition, the meeting reviewed the ongoing cooperation within the A5, stressing the importance of continuing and strengthening concrete activities and projects, notably in the field of defence and security. Also emphasized was the importance of keeping the A5 membership open to all Southeast European countries aspiring to join it.
Addressing the event, Grlić Radman underscored NATO’s open door policy as well as European integration as the only road to long-term stability and security in Southeast Europe. Croatia will continue to support Albania and North Macedonia along that path. Furthermore, we will push for speeding up the Euro-Atlantic accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Speaking about the current global and regional security challenges, the minister said that the A5 represented added value to NATO and EU’s extant responses to them.