U.S. Amb. Sue K. Brown meets with Montenegrin Minister of Defense, Boro Vučinić.
(Courtesy photo)
Representatives from Southeast European countries met Jan. 25 to discuss support to ISAF-Afghanistan.
About 53 ministers and representatives from 11 countries met in Podogorica, Montenegro for a conference titled, “Southeast Europe Regional Support to ISAF-Afghanistan Post 2014.”
The two-day conference hopes to present suggestions for future contributions from the military, police and civil organizations from Southeast Europe for support of Afghanistan. This conference, which wraps up Jan. 27, continues this topic from an earlier meeting of regional representatives in Zagreb last October.
The conference began with opening remarks from Marshall Center Deputy Director Dr. James MacDougall; Col. Mehmedin Tahirovic, president of the Marshall Center Alumni Association for Southeastern Europe; the Montenegrin Minister of Defense, Boro Vučinić and the German and American Ambassadors to Montenegro, both highlighting the German-American partnership.
U.S. Ambassador Sue K. Brown remained to listen to the presentation by NATO deputy senior civilian representative Andrew Steinfeld, and returned to hear former Marshall Center staffer and alumna, Col. (P) Kim Field in the afternoon. These speakers brought a high-level view of operations in Afghanistan, providing particularly relevant observations for participants from nine southeastern European nations. The 40 participants themselves bring a breadth of Afghan engagement experience, and are prepared for working group sessions which begin today.
The conference was hosted by the Marshall Center, the Montenegrin Ministry of Defense and the alumni association, and attracted extensive media coverage.
