At the conclusion of the 27th Conference, the Chiefs of Defense of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter (A5) Initiative adopted a Joint Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to standing united against Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. This war has destabilized peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region and caused significant damage to both regional and global security.

“We strongly condemn Russia’s blatant violation of the United Nations Charter and the wider impact of Russia’s war on the world. We commend the brave resistance of the Ukrainian people and extend our deepest sympathy and condolences for their losses and suffering.” – reads the joint statement by the senior military representatives of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter Initiative, which includes Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, with participation from General Christopher G. Cavoli, Commander of U.S. European Command and U.S. Army Forces in Europe.

In full solidarity with the Ukrainian people, the member countries reaffirm their intention to continue supporting Ukraine in this conflict. “We are committed to pursuing a just and lasting peace that upholds the principles of the UN Charter, especially sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. Our collective support for Ukraine highlights our shared understanding that cooperation with allies and partners is crucial to our ability to address both current and future challenges.” – the joint declaration continues.

The statement also highlights that: “The Western Balkans remain vulnerable to malign influences, including disinformation, and hybrid and cyber threats posed by both state and non-state actors. In this regard, democratic values, the rule of law, internal reforms, good neighborly relations, and inclusivity are essential for regional cooperation and Euro-Atlantic integration, and we remain committed to advancing toward this goal.”

“We reaffirm our dedication to the principles of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter, acknowledging that NATO membership for all aspiring countries in Southeast Europe remains one of the Initiative’s primary goals. In this context, we support NATO’s open-door policy and back the aspirations of the remaining Southeast European countries seeking NATO membership, while respecting the need for internal dialogue.” – the statement concludes.