PM Lukšić: US-Adriatic Charter gives boost to region’s NATO integration

Budva, Montenegro (27 May 2011) – In his opening speech at the US – Adriatic Charter (A5) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Budva earlier today, Prime Minister Igor Lukšić welcomed the Initiative as the region’s joint project for cooperation and exchange of experiences and a forum for positive competition in the light of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The Charter, which brings together five member states – the United States, Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, is perceived, in his words, as an opportunity to upgrade regional cooperation and collective security in today’s world faced with substantial security risks and challenges.

On this occasion, PM Lukšić remarked that Montenegro, during its presidency of the A5 Charter, has made every effort to use all the potentials of the Initiative, while working towards a more efficient NATO integration of the countries of the region.

The US – Adriatic Charter, he added, has always given support to its member states in order to improve and develop their capacities to meet the NATO membership requirements. “The best evidence for this is that two members of the Charter, our neighbours – Albania and Croatia, are already members of the Alliance,” the PM stressed.