Secretary-General Rasmussen after meeting Prime Minister Đukanović in Brussels: NATO to support Montenegro in maintaining reform momentum

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Brussels, Belgium (25 March 2014) – Montenegro is an important partner for the alliance and a strong candidate for the NATO membership, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated after his meeting with Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milo Đukanović in Brussels earlier today.

“I congratulate you on the good progress you have made so far in implementing reforms and thank you for your personal commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration,” the NATO Secretary General highlighted. He said that continuing this hard work is the best way to bring Montenegro into the NATO and the EU.

Montenegro’s commitment to the Alliance and its positive role in the Western Balkans is aimed at contributing to global security, particularly referring to Montenegro’s contribution to the ISAF mission, not only in terms of economy but also through the training mission, the Secretary General underlined.

“We know that NATO integration can be a challenging and a long road, but it is worth it. It is important to maintain the momentum of reforms to deliver strong track records of implementation,” he stressed.

Montenegro’s Action Plan, according to Mr Rasmussen, has identified key challenges that need to be handled, namely strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption and organised crime, finding the resources to modernise the country’s armed forces and increasing public awareness and understanding of the importance of the NATO membership.

“I encourage you to continue working on these challenges. There is still work to be done in integration to Euro-Atlantic community, but Montenegro has made great straights in moving closer to NATO,” Mr Rasmussen pointed out.

He concluded by emphasising NATO’s strong commitment to the Western Balkans and Montenegro’s future within the Euro-Atlantic family, adding that it can count on the NATO’s support on its path towards the full integration.

Prime Minister Milo Đukanović also met earlier today with the North-Atlantic Council for talks on the progress Montenegro has achieved in its reform of the defence system and on the growing cooperation between the alliance and Montenegro.