Meeting of the Minister of Defense Pejanovic-Djurisic with the ambassadors of NATO countries

Minister of  Defense prof. Milica Pejanović Đurišić, PhD met today with permanent representatives of NATO member states in Brussels, the ambassadors of Slovenia (Andrej Benedejčič), Luxembourg (Jean- Jacques Welfringom), Croatia (Boris Grigić) and of Slovakia (František Kašick) in Villa “Gorica”.

Minister Pejanović- Đurišić acquainted ambassadors with the results Montenegro has achieved in the process of defense reform, plans and activities for the forthcoming period, with the aim to accelerate its path towards full-flagged NATO membership. Appreciating the importance of regional cooperation, the Minister emphasized again  Montenegro’s commitment to further development of regional cooperation, as well as of good cooperation with neighboring countries, as it has been recognized by its partners.

In the forthcoming period, Montenegro will continue its full cooperation with countries which are shearing the strategic commitments and common values with Montenegro, and therefore it expects full support of its partners in the further process of reform, the Minister Pejanović -Đurišić stressed.

Ambassadors praised a visible progress Montenegro has made on its path towards Euro-Atlantic integrations and stated that Montenegro can rely on support of the Governments of their countries, as to become full-fledged NATO member state.

Montenegro is committed to made additional efforts in the field of public diplomacy in the forthcoming period, as to increase the public support for NATO membership, the Minister Pejanović Đurišić pointed out.

At the meeting, they also discussed about further process of defense reform as well as about manner and models of assistance NATO member states could provide to Montenegro, in the following period.

Ambassadors also praised the organization of such meetings, which are providing them the possibility to be additionally informed on the reforms and efforts Montenegro has made on its path towards gaining full-fledged membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, which will significantly help them in developing further plans for cooperation with Montenegro. The ambassadors pointed out that Montenegro is on a good way to become its full partner, as NATO member state, and therefore it can rely on their unconditional support.

The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia in Montenegro Vladimir Gasparič, the Chief of General Staff Vice Admiral Dragan Samardžić, the Deputy Minister for Defense Policy Ivan Mašulović  PhD, the Minister’s Advisor for Military Issues LTC Rajko Pešić and the Head of Department for International Cooperation MAJ Saša Jovanović.