ADRIATIC CHARTER FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEET

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 102518

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2024
TAGS: PGOV PREL EUN NATO CR AL BK SR MK MW
SUBJECT: ADRIATIC CHARTER FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEET
SEPTEMBER 23 ON THE MARGINS OF UNGA


1. Classified by EUR Deputy Assistant Secretary Stuart Jones
for Reasons: 1.4 (b and d)


2. (U) September 23, 2009; 5:00-6:00 p.m.; New York, New
York.


3. (U) Participants:

U.S.

EUR Deputy Assistant Secretary Stuart Jones
EUR/SCE - Cathy Westley (note taker)

Adriatic Charter

Albanian Foreign Minister Ilir Meta
Bosnian Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj
Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic
Macedonian State Counselor Zoran Dabic
Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Rocen
Observer: Serbia Assistant Minister Vuk Zugic


4. (SBU) Summary: Bosnian Foreign Minister Alkalaj led a
meeting of the Adriatic Charter (A5) Foreign Ministers on the
margins of UNGA on September 23. EUR DAS Jones participated
for the U.S., and Assistant Minister Zugic was present as an
observer from Serbia. The A5 partners reiterated support for
the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in
Afghanistan and outlined current and future contributions.
Both Bosnian FM Alkalaj and Montenegrin FM Rocen described
their efforts to apply for NATO Membership Action Plans
(MAP),and asked for support. FM Alkalaj offered an idea for
the A5's consideration involving designating military
training centers with special niche capabilities in each
country, and offering regional training together,
particularly prior to deployments. A5 members agreed to
consult with their Ministries of Defense and discuss the idea
at the September 29 MFA NATO political directors meeting. FM
Alkalaj briefed on the successful "Combined Endeavor" NATO
exercise held in Banja Luka September 14-17, and outlined his
plans for the remaining months of A5 events under the
six-month Bosnian chairmanship. Serbian Assistant Minister
Zugic noted Serbia was happy to be an observer in the A5 and
participate in Partnership for Peace (PfP) and other
activities but remained concerned about the majority of NATO
members having recognized Kosovo. End Summary.

Support for NATO ISAF Participation
--------------


5. (C) Bosnian FM Alkalaj noted that participation in the
International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) was
important for NATO aspirants to show readiness to join the
fight, and asked for everyone to describe their plans.
Macedonian State Counselor for Multilateral and Security
Affairs Zoran Dabic said Macedonia would continue to
strengthen its contribution to ISAF. In 2009, Macedonia
enhanced its presence to 167 troops on the ground, serving
with the British in Kabul and participating in Provincial
Reconstruction Teams. In 2010, the Macedonian government
plans to increase its contribution by 50%, which would bring
the total to approximately 250, including contributions to
civilian structures. Croatian FM Jandrokovic called
Afghanistan a top international priority, and said it was
important for NATO aspirants to participate in ISAF to
demonstrate to NATO their capacity, political will and
ability to meet NATO standards. He welcomed in particular the
contributions of Bosnia and Montenegro in this regard, and
said Croatia will continue to contribute to ISAF. It
currently has almost 300 troops serving with the Germans in
the north.


6. (C) Montenegrin Foreign Minister Rocen said Montenegro was
finalizing plans to deploy troops to ISAF by the end of
February or March of 2010, to include an infantry platoon of
25 soldiers, a medical team of three members, two staff
officers and one logistics officer with the Hungarian
contingent under German command. Albanian Foreign Minister
Meta said Albania was strongly committed to ISAF. As a new
NATO member, it sent an additional unit of 110 troops to
serve with the Italians in Herat, and it planned to send a

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20-person medical team soon. Bosnian FM Alkalaj said it had
designated 10 troops to serve in ISAF, but recognized that
Bosnia needed to do more. The Minister of Defense recently
returned from a trip to Kabul, and the government is strongly
considering sending approximately 200 troops in the near
future.

New Idea to Improve NATO Interoperability
And Regional Cooperation
--------------


7. (C) FM Alkalaj proposed that A5 members consider building
regional capacities for training and deployment by
designating each country's training centers with different
special niche capabilities, and offering joint training to
the countries, particularly prior to deployments. He
suggested that each country discuss the idea with its
Ministry of Defense and others, and bring some initial
responses to the Adriatic Charter NATO political directors
meeting in Sarajevo on September 29.

MAP Applications of BiH and Montenegro
--------------


8. (C) FM Alkalaj said Bosnia planned to present its
Membership Action Plan (MAP) application on October 2 in
Brussels. A delegation led by President Komsic, the Foreign
and Defense Ministers and the Chief of Defense would present
it; by happenstance all ethnic groups would be represented.
He emphasized it would add an additional pillar of stability
in Bosnia to be under a NATO umbrella. He said he hoped its
MAP application would be considered at the December
Ministerial and asked for the support of the three NATO
members present - Albania, Croatia and the United States.


9. (C) Montenegrin Foreign Minister Rocen spoke at length,
beginning by looking the Serbian observer in the eye and
noting that countries will not lose their identity by joining
NATO. Rocen said Montenegro understood NATO was not a
charity organization, and that it was necessary to fulfill
the requirements for membership. He was encouraged by the
April NATO communiqu, and pleased by the strong support of
neighboring countries, the U.S. and the Alliance. He noted
Montenegro's successful participation in the "Combined
Endeavor" exercise. He offered a non-paper on Montenegro's
MAP application, and asked for support, noting Montenegro was
eager to contribute to NATO's priorities.


10. (C) Croatian FM Jandrokovic said Croatia in principle
supports all EU and NATO aspirants and wishes the best to all
on their efforts. On MAP, he noted Croatia would be happy to
help both countries fulfill all requirements and provide
technical assistance. Macedonian State Counselor Dabic said
with a smile that since Macedonia is in its 11th cycle with
MAP, it would be happy to provide any and all technical
assistance, and invited both countries to visit Skopje for
help. Albanian FM Meta said he offered his strongest support
for both countries, efforts. DAS Jones said he hoped to be
able to share news on the United State's position on MAP with
both countries shortly.

Operation "Combined Endeavor" a Success
--------------


11. (C) FM Alkalaj briefed on the NATO "Combined Endeavor"
exercise held in Banja Luka September 14-17, and noted it was
the first time NATO held such an exercise on a non-NATO
member country's soil. He said 95% of tests were passed, and
that SACEUR Admiral Stavridis told them he was pleasantly
surprised at its success.

Plans for Future Events of A5
--------------


12. C) FM Alkalaj outlined Bosnia's plans for the Adriatic
Charter under its chairmanship:

-- September 29 - MFA NATO Political Directors Meeting in
Sarajevo

-- October 19-23 - Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Meeting, in part to discuss raising public awareness of the
benefits of NATO membership

-- October TBD - Members of Parliament Meeting


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-- November 18 - Ministers of Defense Meeting

-- December TBD - Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting

Serbia as an A5 Observer
--------------


13. (C) Serbian Assistant Minister Vuk Zugic said he
reiterated Serbia's view that developing regional ties and
good relations was important, and that Serbia is pleased to
be an observer in the Adriatic Charter. Partnership for
Peace (PfP) activities are a priority for Serbia, which
signed a security agreement in 2008 and plans to open a
mission to NATO soon; an Ambassador has been designated.
However, Serbia must point out the difficulty presented in
NATO cooperation because most NATO member countries have
recognized Kosovo. Serbia believes NATO assistance to the
Kosovo Security Force is illegal, but believes that KFOR must
remain as the main security provider. Serbia's primary
Euro-Atlantic goal is to join the European Union.

Concluding Remarks
--------------


14. (C) FM Alkalaj thanked everyone for a good meeting, and
asked DAS Jones to make concluding remarks. DAS Jones said
the meeting reminded him of the shared ambition of South
Central European countries and the importance of
Euro-Atlantic integration to promote stability. Regional
cooperation is vital, as is continuing on the path to EU and
NATO integration. The idea on developing niche capability
and cooperative regional training merits consideration, and
consultation with Ministries of Defense will be important.
DAS Jones said Serbia and the United States have "agreed to
disagree" on Kosovo, but emphasized that Kosovo is an
essential part of the region, and its political and economic
stability are in everyone's interest. Given the early
development of its defense institutions, it would be
premature to consider Kosovo for A-5 membership. But, Kosovo
should be factored into regional planning and organizations.
CLINTON