As part of the U.S. Adriatic Charter (A-5) initiative, the Defense Ministerial will be held in Tirana on December 3-5. This important event is also part of Albania’s commitment to the program.

The ministerial meeting is expected to be attended by high-level delegates from the United States, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Serbia. Celeste Wallander, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, will attend the meeting.

Pirro Vengu, Albania’s Minister of Defense, and the U.S. Assistant Secretary will deliver welcoming remarks on the opening day of the ministerial meetings.

Senior leaders from the A-5 Initiative countries will address the integration processes of the Balkan countries using the Initiative’s tools, as well as the future of the Initiative. Panel discussions will also address the situation in Ukraine and its implications for Southeastern Europe, security issues in the Western Balkans, the growth of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter Initiative with new participants, and joint contributions to NATO and other international missions.

At the conclusion of the ministerial, the participating nations will sign a joint declaration.

The U.S. Adriatic Charter Initiative is a diplomatic effort involving the countries of the Western Balkans to strengthen cooperation and integration with U.S. assistance in Euro-Atlantic organizations and to promote regional stability and economic development.