Ahead of the visit, Minister Krstičević met with US Ambassador to Croatia Julieta Valls Noyes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Damir Krstičević met with United States Ambassador to Croatia Julieta Valls Noyes and US Army envoy to Croatia Robert Mathers. They discussed Minister’s planned official visit to the United States from 11 to 15 July, reports Večernji List on 10 July 2017.
Minister Krstičević and US Ambassador Noyes expressed mutual satisfaction with the excellent bilateral cooperation between the United States and Croatia, especially in the area of security and defence, and stressed the importance of the forthcoming visit of Minister Krstičević to the United States.
In Washington, Minister Krstičević will meet with US Secretary of Defense James Mattis and other senior officials, as well as with representatives of the Croatian diaspora. He will visit Lockheed Martin, where he will talk with vice-president for international cooperation. At Norfolk, Minister Krstičević and the delegation will be received by the commander of NATO Allied Command Transformation, General Denis Mercier.
Minister Krstičević will discuss the joint contribution to international security in crisis areas and efforts to combat terrorism, joint NATO alliances, the security and political situation in the Croatian neighbourhood and Southeast Europe, and how to deepen bilateral defence cooperation.
The visit to the United States and the Pentagon is a confirmation of excellent co-operation between the two strategic allies and partners with the common interest in sharing the values and responsibilities for security in the world, including participation in a coalition in the fight against terrorism. Such activities are being synchronised with other members of the coalition and in accordance with the international agreements concluded by the two countries. Cooperation between Croatia and the United States in this area confirms excellent general relations and mutual trust between the two allies and contributes to maintaining these relationships.
Croatia highly appreciates the assistance provided by the United States through donations of equipment and weapons, training, strategic transportation to international missions and operations, and other forms of defense cooperation. American aid is the key for the development of Croatian defense capabilities, through donations and other forms of cooperation, which amounts to about 500 million dollars.
Likewise, Croatia and the United States are dedicated to caring for veterans and their families. Therefore, Croatia provides assistance in search and recovery mission for the remains of American soldiers, the crew members of B-24 aircraft, which on 17 December 1944 crashed in the immediate vicinity of the Croatian island of Vis.
