NATO's Rasmussen: Montenegro progress serves as encouragement to Western Balkan countries

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• Progress of each country will be evaluated individually, says NATO Secretary General

Brussels, Belgium (18 December 2012) – Montenegro plays an important role in the process of Euro-Atlantic integration and its progress can serve as an encouragement to all Western Balkan countries aspiring to NATO membership, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić in Brussels on Monday. The NATO Secretary General underlined that the progress of each country will be evaluated individually.

He described Montenegro as a positive example in meeting European and Euro-Atlantic agenda, which is confirmed by its track record in both processes, encouraging the country to continue to pursue reforms in the key areas.

Secretary General Rasmussen thanked DPM Lukšić on Montenegro’s contribution to ISAF mission, as well as on its willingness to make a contribution to the stability of Afghanistan after 2014. He underlined the importance of the American-Adriatic Charter which represents a significant regional cooperation mechanism in promoting stability and security at both regional and global levels.

DPM Llukšić said that the new Government remains committed to integration with EU and NATO and to strengthening regional cooperation as the country’s top foreign policy priorities. The positive conclusions from the NATO Summit in Chicago and the report on Montenegro's progress within the second cycle of the Membership Action Plan encourage the country to carry out reforms and fulfil obligations on its path towards NATO membership.

He added that this year is to be very successful for both integration processes and that the Government is to focus its attention on internal reforms and economy recovery in the coming period.