Press Releases

Remarks by Admiral Michael G. Mullen, U.S. Navy Commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples at Adriatic Charter Conference (Feb. 28, 2005)

Thank you. I am particularly happy to be able to participate today in the Adriatic Charter Conference, and I wish to congratulate General Qazimi for the excellent organization and also his extraordinary leadership and friendship.

Albania plays a vital role in maintaining stability in the Balkans. I would like to express our gratitude to the Albanian people, and our forces for the courageous stand they have taken for peace, tolerance, stability and moderation, and freedom in Southeastern Europe and beyond.

I am actually here in Tirana today to meet with your leaders, as well as to attend the US-Adriatic Chiefs of Defense Conference. I welcome the attendance in particular of all participating nations, including General Pulgic from Bosnia and Herzegovina and also General Pashakash for the Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The Charter, which was signed here in Tirana in May 2003, laid the foundation for a partnership in carrying out the necessary reforms for joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The door to NATO remains open. As President Bush said earlier this week, and I quote: "We also look forward to working with Albania, Croatia and Macedonia, as these states participate in NATO’s membership action plan," unquote. The Adriatic Charter nations have actively worked as partners with NATO allies, and are seeking out opportunities to further contribute to the evolution of the alliance of free nations.

These countries are no longer just consumers of security, but rather have become a major source of stability and collective security in a wider region. To achieve full membership in NATO, these countries have embarked on key reforms, including the judiciary and defense. These reforms are designed to prepare them for future tests as members of the most successful political and military alliance in history.

The US-Adriatic Charter sent a powerful message on our commitment to regional cooperation, and promoting the core values of the Euro-Atlantic partnership: freedom, peace, stability, and prosperity. I would like to thank Italian Chief of Defense Admiral Di Paola for his leadership in this conference and in transformation for all armed forces.

Through the Charter, we are working with our partners to ensure that the region builds strong democracies, working individually and sharing best practices in reform in economic, military and political institutions. To close and echo your President’s comments to me earlier today, it is about sharing common ideals and values, shared objectives, active integration and a bright future, in peace and security and not in war.

Thank you.