Mr. Secretary-General,
Dear colleagues,
 
Together with other Allies, Croatia actively contributed to the broad discussions on our new Strategic Concept. We are glad to see that our most important political and security views and concerns were taken into account and deftly woven into the proposed text which is before us.  We would like to commend you, Mr. Secretary General, for using your vast political experience to produce a document that is strong in its nature and content but very much balanced at the same time.
 
In the Strategic Concept the most important balances are worked out just as they should be: collective defence and out-of-area operations; traditional threats versus the new ones; the Alliance's nuclear strategy and our goals in the areas of arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation. The Alliance's three core tasks are described aptly and precisely.
 
When Croatia joined the Alliance, NATO was already 60 years old. It is a long time, but one issue remains the same, and that is our mutual commitment to common indivisible security, guaranteed by the firm and permanent transatlantic link, by Allied solidarity. As individual states and as the Alliance, we are no one's enemy, but no one should doubt that we are ready and able to defend ourselves, should we ever be attacked by any actor, state or non-state. In our constantly changing world, NATO is and should continue to be a permanent source of stability.
 
The best way to manage a crisis is to prevent it. I am glad that our new Strategic Concept recognizes that. Serious, timely, and in-depth transatlantic security consultations are essential in that respect. We should not shy away from any issue important for the security of any particular Ally, the Euro-Atlantic area, or the world.
 
We should continue to be ready to use our military and civilian capabilities to stop the ongoing conflicts and to soothe their consequences in the phase of stabilization and reconstruction. We fully subscribe to the principle of cooperative security, as outlined in the Charter of the United Nations. The Alliance should strive to cooperate with the European Union, our most natural teammate, with whom we share values and members. We should also try to engage our other partner countries and organizations whenever and wherever feasible.
 
NATO's door should remain open to all European countries willing and able to join us. Obviously, first and foremost I have in mind the countries of South East Europe. Croatian Government and I personally do our utmost to enhance cooperation with our neighbors and within the region. The most recent example was the visit of President Tadić to the Croatian city of Vukovar, where he apologized on behalf of Serbia for the atrocities committed, and where we together honored the dead and the missing. We continue our work on stabilization of South East Europe, firmly believing that the path of Euro-Atlantic integration is the best one for the region. In that manner, we continue to construct a "Europe whole, free, and at peace". Our strong wish is to see the name issue resolved between our friends in Skopje and Athens so that we would be able to welcome the new member of Alliance soon.
 
 
Finally, I would like to say few words about reform. We support the steps taken in this regard, notably on reform of command structure and of the agencies. This effort should continue, and especially in the field of joint projects. We see lot of opportunities for countries to join their resources and to work together. My country is certainly willing to explore this option.
 
By preparing our Alliance for emerging security challenges, by opening it to new partners and areas of cooperation, and at the same time recommitting to our founding principles and values, NATO will continue to be as relevant for years to come as it was during the past six decades.
 
Mr. Secretary-General, Croatia fully supports the list of tasks that you have suggested. As heads of states and governments, we are doing our part by adopting and endorsing these important documents and thus giving strategic guidance. We all have a lot of work to do, and that is only right. In these challenging times, we have to work hard, to work fast, and to work smart. It goes without saying that we must also work together as Allies. That is the only way to fulfill the mandate bestowed on us by our real masters – our citizens.
 
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.