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U.S., Adriatic Charter military leaders discuss collective deterrence amid chronic Russian threat
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander
of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, co-chaired the 2024 U.S.-Adriatic Charter (A5) Chiefs of Defense Conference alongside Maj. Gen. Arben Kingji, chief of the Albanian Armed Forces General Staff, in Tirana, Albania, Sept. 17-19, 2024.
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
Photo 2 of 5
U.S., Adriatic Charter military leaders discuss collective deterrence amid chronic Russian threat
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander
of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, co-chaired the 2024 U.S.-Adriatic Charter (A5) Chiefs of Defense Conference alongside Maj. Gen. Arben Kingji, chief of the Albanian Armed Forces General Staff, in Tirana, Albania, Sept. 17-19, 2024.
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
Photo 3 of 5
U.S., Adriatic Charter military leaders discuss collective deterrence amid chronic Russian threat
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander
of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, co-chaired the 2024 U.S.-Adriatic Charter (A5) Chiefs of Defense Conference alongside Maj. Gen. Arben Kingji, chief of the Albanian Armed Forces General Staff, in Tirana, Albania, Sept. 17-19, 2024.
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
Photo 4 of 5
U.S., Adriatic Charter military leaders discuss collective deterrence amid chronic Russian threat
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander
of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, co-chaired the 2024 U.S.-Adriatic Charter (A5) Chiefs of Defense Conference alongside Maj. Gen. Arben Kingji, chief of the Albanian Armed Forces General Staff, in Tirana, Albania, Sept. 17-19, 2024.
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
Photo 5 of 5
U.S., Adriatic Charter military leaders discuss collective deterrence amid chronic Russian threat
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander
of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, co-chaired the 2024 U.S.-Adriatic Charter (A5) Chiefs of Defense Conference alongside Maj. Gen. Arben Kingji, chief of the Albanian Armed Forces General Staff, in Tirana, Albania, Sept. 17-19, 2024.
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, co-chaired the 2024 U.S.-Adriatic Charter (A5) Chiefs of Defense Conference alongside Maj. Gen. Arben Kingji, chief of the Albanian Armed Forces General Staff, in Tirana, Albania, Sept. 17-19, 2024.
The event included chiefs of defense from the Adriatic Charter nations of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia. Delegations from Kosovo and Slovenia also attended as observer nations.
“Regional security is a shared responsibility. It requires close, sustained coordination. For 21 years now, the Adriatic Charter members have worked together towards a common goal of peace and prosperity in Europe. This annual conference is an important venue to continue our strategic dialogue,” said Cavoli. “The nations assembled here today, however, represent more than just a commitment to security, they represent the choice to embrace shared values. In these historic times, it’s more important than ever that we collaborate with like-minded partners and our Allies.”
During the conference, military leaders from the Adriatic Charter nations and observer states discussed security challenges and opportunities in the western Balkans and reaffirmed their steadfast support to Ukraine in its fight for democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Additional topics focused on the collective efforts for enhanced cyber defense, improved and resilient logistics, and cooperation toward Euro-Atlantic integration.
“The current security situation brings to our attention the fragility of our region, especially in the face of trends for malign interference from state and non-state actors. Peace today should not be taken for granted,” said Kingji. “The defense of the country and the preservation of sovereignty beyond the armed forces requires a comprehensive approach involving all actors, institutions, and society. Efforts to defend the homeland can never be excessive. Furthermore, joint efforts with allies and partner countries, both in the region and beyond, are necessary.”
Additional attendees included senior leaders from each of the charter and observer nations’ U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program states, including Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Vermont.
In advance of the conference, Cavoli met with Albanian heads of state, including President Bajram Begaj, Prime Minister Edi Rama and Defense Minister Piroo Vengu to further Albania’s partnership and security cooperation efforts with the U.S. and NATO.
Regularly hosted by Allies throughout Europe, Chiefs of Defense conferences are a key component of USEUCOM’s comprehensive approach to regional security. Through continuous engagement, USEUCOM and its Allies foster enduring partnerships and strengthen cooperation among Allied nations.
