PM Lukšić voices Montenegro’s commitment to international security at NATO’s North Atlantic Council

Brussels, Belgium (21 March 2012) – Montenegro already considers ways to contribute to international activities in Afghanistan after 2014, and in domestic policy we remain dedicated to fiscal adjustments, structural reform and improving the business environment, Prime Minister Igor Lukšić said in his address to the North Atlantic Council in Brussels earlier today.

Prime Minister Lukšić underlined that EU and NATO integration remain Montenegro’s most important political priorities, alongside further economic recovery.

The Prime Minister reiterated that in spite of economic difficulties Montenegro has achieved a GDP growth of 1.5-2% in 2011 and has preserved its macroeconomic stability. He also noted that the European Commission has recommended in its annual progress report the opening of EU accession negotiations with Montenegro, expected in June 2012.

Discussing NATO’s achievements in 2011, Prime Minister Lukšić praised the success of the intervention in Libya and stressed the importance of the broad cooperation between NATO and partner states in Afghanistan. He welcomed NATO’s interest to develop various models of global cooperation with partners, especially in the key phase in Afghanistan, as the smooth transfer of power to national authorities is expected in 2014. He underlined that Montenegro as an ISAF contributor, guided by the Lisbon principles, already considers its further involvement after 2014.