NATO integration to strenghten entire region's stability, says PM Đukanović

Podgorica, Montenegro (12 February 2013) – The only way of strengthening the stability of the entire region is to pursue NATO integration path, which is significant for both the Western Balkan’s countries and the NATO and EU, Prime Minister Milo Đukanović said at a meeting with the heads of NATO missions of Slovenia, Slovakia, Luxembourg and Croatia, Andrej Benedejčič, Frantisek Kasicky, Jean-Jaques Welfring, and Boris Grigić earlier today. The goal of the integration process is to encourage reforms in the region which will qualify its countries for the NATO membership, he underlined.

The ambassadors praised Montenegro’s reform momentum and voiced readiness to continue to provide support for its NATO’s bid. They highlighted that Montenegro has good arguments to convince all NATO member states that it has achieved an undoubted progress, thus demonstrating its willingness to meet all the requirements from the NATO agenda.

In that regard, PM Đukanović reiterated the Government’s commitment to pursue intensive reforms that are primarily aimed at increasing the living standard, as well as at joining NATO and EU.

The increase of the public support for NATO membership and the implementation of reforms in the key areas remain top priorities of the integration process in the coming period, the meeting concluded.