President Milanović Receives NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher Cavoli

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović met today with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and the United States European Command Commander (U.S. EUCOM) General Christopher Cavoli. General Cavoli arrived in Croatia to attend the annual meeting of Central Europe Chiefs of Defense Conference, which is being held 10-11 June in Split.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid and General Cavoli are the hosts of the conference. Also participating in the conference are representatives of the armed forces of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as well as representatives of the armed forces of Turkey and Moldova.

The meeting addressed topics that are on NATO’s agenda, including multiple challenges related to the security situation in Europe and Russian aggression against Ukraine. Furthermore, the development of allied military capabilities was discussed, including the need to strengthen the military industry. Views were exchanged on future challenges in the Euro-Atlantic area, and President Milanović underlined the importance of collective defense for the Republic of Croatia.

Attending the meeting in the Office of the President besides General Cavoli were the U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Nathalie Rayes, Civilian Deputy and Foreign Policy Advisor to U.S. European Command Kate Byrnes, U.S. Defence Attaché to Croatia Brigadier Scott McLearn, First Secretary at the U.S. Embassy in Croatia and Head of the Department of Political and Economic Affairs DeAmanda Lillis and Senior Special Assistant to SACEUR Colonel Russell Cook.

Alongside President Milanović was the Head of the Office of the President Orsat Miljenić, the Chief of Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, the Adviser to the President for Defense Ivica Olujić, the Advisor to the President for Foreign and European Policy Neven Pelicarić, the Head of the Military Office of the Cabinet for Defense and National Security of the Office of the President Brigadier General Ivica Kranjčević and the Secretary of the Cabinet for Foreign and European Policy of the Office of the President Ivan Mutavdžić.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Dario Andrišek