ZAGREB, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Croatia is a committed and responsible member of NATO, Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krsticevic said here on Friday during a U.S.-Adriatic Charter meeting attended by U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis.
It was showcased by Croatia's years-long contribution to stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan and the current engagement in Poland and Lithuania within NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence, said Krsticevic.
According to a press release by Croatian Ministry of Defense, during the meeting, the defence ministers of some southeast European countries and high representatives of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter discussed the current developments and the steps to speed up the integration of the remaining NATO-aspirants in the region and the fairer burden sharing in defence funding between the United States and Europe.
Krsticevic noted that Croatia also bear responsibility for partners from southeast Europe and will continue defence co-operation with them to enhance interoperability of armed forces.
Krsticevic announced that Croatia from August will take part in the Operation Sea Guardian against smuggling of people in the Mediterranean. He also announced that the U.S.side will donate to Croatia more Kiowa Warrior helicopters after the last donation of 16 such aircraft.
Mattis arrived in Zagreb on Thursday after attending the two-day NATO summit in Brussels. He stated on Friday that he had come to Croatia "to reinforce the commitment of the United States to the security and stability of southeast Europe".
