NATO accession remains key priority of Montenegro' Government

Podgorica, Montenegro (18 October 2013) -- Today's meeting of Montenegro’s Council for NATO Membership, chaired by President of the Council and Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, discussed the country’s activities and obligations arising from the Fourth Annual National Programme, which was adopted at yesterday's session of the Government.

Following the presentation of the document at the meeting of NATO's North Atlantic Council (NAC) and Montenegro scheduled for 28 October in Brussels, Montenegro will officially begin its fourth cycle within the Membership Action Plan (MAP).

The Council also identified areas worth of additional efforts in the next phase of Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic integration, namely the reform of the defence and security sector, strengthening the rule of law and strengthening public support for NATO accession.

The Council particularly addressed the issue of strengthening public support for NATO membership. It emphasised the need for broader public dialogue on that issue, which, apart from including all social stakeholders, aims to raise citizen’s awareness of the important issue of national interest. In this regard, the Council defined the activities of key stakeholders of public dialogue in the coming period and charged the National Coordinator to actively monitor the process.

Implementation of fundamental reforms towards the NATO membership remains a key priority so that Montenegro can stand ready for the next summit with enlargement issue on its agenda, the Council concluded.