NATO Secretary General praises Croatia for contributions to the Alliance’s Security
The President of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Ivo Josipovic visited NATO Headquarters on Tuesday 7 June 2011 and discussed with the NATO Secretary General a range of issues of interest to the Alliance, including the NATO-led Operation Unified Protector in Libya.
During their meeting, the Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen thanked Croatia for the valuable contributions to NATO operations, in particular the significant Croatian contribution to the ISAF operation in Afghanistan. The Secretary General also praised Croatia’s contribution to regional cooperation in the Balkans and to the Alliance’s collective defence.
“Croatia is an example for the rest of the Balkans of successful NATO integration”, the Secretary General said. “I would very much like to see all countries of the region included in NATO and in the EU”.
Finally, the Secretary General also said that Euro-Atlantic integration remains the most effective way to bring lasting stability to the entire Balkan region and that Allies remain committed to the open door policy.