NATO and its Allies remain fully committed to ensuring undeniable success in the Balkans

Lt Gen Walter E. Gaskin, Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee

Opinions 10 June 2010 Speech by the Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee at the Balkans Chiefs of Defence Conference, Romania

Brashov, Romania - 11 June 2010 - Lt Gen Walter E. Gaskin, Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee delivered a speech at the occasion of the fourth Conference of CHODs from the Balkan countries’ armies, taking place this year in Brashov, Romania. 

Hosted by CHOD of Romanian forces, Admiral George Marin, all the CHODs of the General Staffs from eight countries from the Balkans attended the event (Turkish CHOD was represented by his Deputy). Among them, the Chair of the EU Military Committee, Gen Håkan Syrén, and the Commander of the NATO JFC Naples, Admiral Mark Fitzgerald were also present.

The forum of Balkan chiefs of staff will continue to grow and maintain security in the Balkans, to develop neighborly relations, and promote their activities in terms of modern security risks and challenges which can be overcome only through joint effort.

At the end of the conference General Miroslav Stojanovski stated that Macedonia offered to be the host of next year’s conference.