President Milanović Meets with NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus G. Grynkewich

The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović met with NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alexus G. Grynkewich, who also serves as Commander of the United States European Command (U.S. EUCOM). General Grynkewich arrived in Croatia at the invitation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid. SACEUR is one of NATO’s two strategic commanders and is responsible for the Alliance’s deterrence and defense tasks, as well as for conducting all NATO military operations and missions.

President Milanović emphasized that NATO is a defensive alliance in which Croatia participates in solidarity while being guided by its own national interests. He underscored the importance of consensus in the Alliance’s political decision-making and highlighted the importance of collective defense for the Republic of Croatia.

The meeting covered topics currently on NATO’s agenda, including numerous challenges related to the security situation in Europe and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The participants also exchanged views on future challenges in the Euro-Atlantic area, with President Milanović emphasizing the importance of stability in Southeast Europe, including Kosovo.

Accompanying General Grynkewich at the meeting held at the Office of the President of the Republic were U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia Nicole McGraw, Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Croatia Colonel Wojciech Zajac, Senior Defense Adviser Captain (N) Tony Chavez, Information Officer Colonel Martin O’Donnell, and Defense Adviser Commander (N) Carmela Carbonara.

President Milanović was accompanied by Head of the Cabinet of the President Bartol Šimunić, Adviser to the President for Defense Ivica Olujić, Adviser to the President for Foreign and European Policy Neven Pelicarić, Assistant Adviser to the President for Foreign and European Policy Ivan Mutavdžić, Commander of the Croatian Air Force Brigadier General Krešimir Ražov, and Head of the Military Office in the Cabinet for Defense and National Security of the Office of the President, Colonel Franjo Hrala.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta