Balkan countries train together for ISAF

Balkan countries train together for ISAF

Joint preparation contributes to regional co-operation and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Croatia and Montenegro troops work together in a training exercise. [NATO]

Soldiers from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Croatia and Montenegro are working together to join the NATO mission in Afghanistan (ISAF).

The co-operation is focused on improving the interoperability between Alliance members and partner countries, and to reaffirm the countries' Euro-Atlantic integration.

The troops are training to learn to support protection forces and supervise the base, which includes patrolling areas outside of the base and establishing and operating control points and observation stations.

"If we take into account the variable nature of the operations and the involvement of partners in allied operations, it is equally important to achieve interoperability between NATO forces and those who are not part of NATO," Croatia's defence ministry said in a statement to SETimes.

Croatia is assisting countries from the region to prepare for the ISAF mission in order to help them to improve their NATO paths.

"Flexibility is important for integration. Each operation requires a unique conceptual, organisational and operational approach followed by high level of flexibility, unity and standardisation. Based on this, member countries are responsible for training their staff," the ministry said.

The co-operative training also helps foster the countries' regional relationships.

"Through joint training and similar projects, we can show that regional military co-operation is increasing constantly. That significantly contributes to the development, improvement and strengthening of...