On 29^th of March 2012 an USA- Adriatic group’s Conference was held, with a main subject ‘’Common challenges and joint solutions’’.



The event was organized by the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia. The conference was held in the spirit of continuing the process between the countries of the Adriatic group, towards the promotion of the regional dialogue, the improvement of the defence collaboration and strengthening of the national capacities.

The Defence Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Fatmir Besimi, took place at the conference, as well as representatives of the A5 countries and the United States: Celeste Wallander, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Europe and Eurasia, Arben Imami, Defence Minister of the Republic of Albania, Mirko Okolic, Deputy Defence Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ante Kotromanovic, Defence Minister of Republic of Croatia, Milica Pejanovic- Gurisic, Defence Minister of Montenegro, as well as Arben Cheku, Minister of the security forces of Kosovo, Aleksandra Papadopulou, Ambassador of the Republic of Greece and other representatives of NATO and Slovenia.

The High Representatives from the Atlantic Associations from the region gave their contribution as well: Prof. Radovan Vukadinovic, Vice President of the Atlantic Treaty Association- ATA and President of ATA Croatia, Savo Kentera, President of ATA Montenegro and Kristaq Birbo, Secretary General of ATA Albania.

The conference was open by the Defence Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Fatmir Besimi and the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Gjorgje Ivanov.

After the initial opening of the conference, its participants gave their input and exchanged opinions on the topic “Challenges and perspectives of the Euro- Atlantic integration towards the promotion of sustainable peace and development of the region’’.

Ministers for defence that participated on the Adriatic Charter and the United States, signed joint statement (Joint Statement signed at the US – Adriatic Charter Defence Ministerial Conference Skopje, 29 March 2012), in which they confirm the continued dialogue and the achievements of the A5 group and express support for all the countries from the region towards the continuing of the implementation of the defence reforms.

A valuable input at the conference was also given by the President of the Euro- Atlantic Council of Macedonia and Vice- President of the Atlantic Treaty Association- ATA, Lazar Elenovski, who was speaking about the challenges in the region ahead of the NATO Summit in Chicago and the new Smart Defence Concept of NATO, that needs to be adopted during the Chicago Conference.