President Drnovšek meets with Admiral Giambastiani, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation
Brdo by Kranj, 10/15/2004 | press release
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Janez Drnovšek, today met with Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation.
Admiral Giambastiani first hailed the progress made in the formation of the Slovenian Armed Forces, particularly commending the radiological, chemical and biological warfare units and mountain training. In response, President Drnovšek agreed that the development of the Slovenian Armed Forces during the last years was notable and that its goals had been well defined. Admiral Giambastiani considered the Strategic Defence Review as appropriate, and assessed that approving this document in the National Assembly and informing the public thereof had been a good decision. He also believed that the SAF plans related to operational capabilities had been well prepared. During the talks, Admiral Giambastiani stressed the need for Slovene officers to join NATO's Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, the Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger, Norway, and the Joint Force Training Centre in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Dr Drnovšek concurred with his guest that it was important for Slovenia to have its officers in all vital commands; he also briefly informed Admiral of the progress in the professionalisation of the Slovenian Armed Forces, and considered that the tasks were being carried out without major problems. Admiral Giambastiani then informed President Drnovšek of the course of the meeting held by NATO's defence ministers in Romania. President Drnovšek concluded the meeting by expressing Slovenia's readiness for further cooperation.