National Coordinator for NATO: Communication with citizens on NATO accession produces desired results

Andrijevica, Montenegro (17 April 2014) -- National Coordinator for NATO and Advisor to Prime Minister Nebojsa Kaluđerović delivered a lecture on Euro-Atlantic integration of Montenegro in the municipality of Andrijevica earlier today.

In an open discussion on Montenegro's accession to NATO, Mr Kaluđerović presented the achievements Montenegro has made in this area since the restoration of independence. Special emphasis was placed reform processes in four areas (rule of law, public support, intelligence reform and defence sector reform), which are critical for the NATO integration.

Kaluđerović stressed that NATO membership is a national issue of great importance and a key priority of the foreign policy that concerns all citizens. Accordingly, he added, the communication concept providing an open and argumentative public dialogue has been designed, as well as a favorable environment for the exchange of opinions, regardless of different views on this issue. In that context, he noted that Euro-Atlantic integration of Montenegro is becoming increasingly present in public, which best testifies to the fact the innovated form of communication with all social stakeholders has produceed good results, including an increase in the citizens' support for Montenegro's membership to NATO.

In his lecture, the National Coordinator for NATO highlighted the NATO’s importance in the Western Balkans in terms of security, peace, democracy and economic development.

Responding to questions from the audience, Mr Kaluđerović pointed out the full complementarity of Montenegro's EU and NATO integration processes.