Minister Pejanovic-Djurisic at the meeting of the SEECP

Defense Minister Professor Milica Pejanovic-Djurisic, PhD participated in a Meeting of defense ministers of the Southeastern Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) held in Belgrade. The topic was "Regional cooperation strengthening with the aim of dealing with surplus armament and ammunition."

Minister Pejanovic-Djurisic emphasized that the strategic orientation of Montenegro is membership in NATO and the EU, and that great efforts are being made in defense reform and reform of other sectors. She underlined the significance of promotion of good relations with our neighbor countries, with the belief that these processes are of fundamental importance for the citizens of Montenegro.

Minister Pejanovic-Djurisic also emphasized that if all countries in the region do not coordinate activities in resources management area, as a result it can lead to disrupting regional security and security beyond. Therefore, Montenegro is fully committed to cooperation in all regional initiatives aimed at pooling capacities.

The focus of the meeting was particularly on the problem of surplus armament and ammunition, which was designated as one of the biggest internal security challenges for all countries in the region. The seriousness of this issue imposes great attention to its overcoming.

Minister Pejanovic-Djurisic pointed out that, not only reform processes, but also demilitarization of the region, create conditions for further integrations of all countries in the region. She reiterated that Montenegro will remain fully committed to this task, in the interest of all citizens of Montenegro, and will search after ecologically sustainable resolutions which will preserve environment to the fullest extent possible.

Joint statement, which welcomes strengthening of regional cooperation and progress of the region towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration, was adopted at the meeting.