USEUCOM, NATO represented at A-5 Adriatic Charter Conference

Photo By Maj. Kay Nissen | U.S. Navy Admiral Mark Ferguson, Commander of U.S. Naval Force Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples, gives opening remarks at the US-Adriatic A-5 Chiefs of Defense Conference, Sept. 17, 2015. The nations involved in the charter are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and the United States. (NATO photo by Capt. Kay Nissen)  

OHRID, NORTH MACEDONIA

09.17.2015

Story by Capt. Kay Nissen 

Allied Joint Force Command Naples     

OHRID, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia* – The senior military leaders from the Balkan region gathered for the U.S.-Adriatic (A-5) Chiefs of Defense (CHOD) Conference Sept. 17, 2015.

U.S. Navy Admiral Mark Ferguson, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples, represented U.S. European Command and NATO leadership during the event which was themed “Cooperative Efforts in Achieving NATO Partnership Goals and Capability Targets.”

“Twelve years, and nineteen CHOD Conferences ago, the U.S.-Adriatic Charter was established as evidence of our common vision for a peaceful Southeast Europe integrated into the Euro-Atlantic Community,” said Admiral Ferguson.

The nations involved in the charter are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Montenegro and the United States.

The A-5 has two objectives: to secure an open-door NATO policy and provide a framework for cooperation and mutual support to NATO candidate countries.

“We must use our collective knowledge and experience to find practical, tangible and affordable ways to achieve NATO Partnership Goals, membership and for current members, Capability Targets,” said Admiral Ferguson. “A-5 members have displayed the traits necessary to realize our common vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace.”

The Defense Ministerial is held once a year. During this year’s conference, the participating nations signed a joint statement which reaffirmed their commitment to the founding principles of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter.

*Turkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name

• Date Taken: 09.17.2015
• Date Posted: 09.17.2015 09:14
• Story ID: 176346
• Location: OHRID, MK