Montenegro's Defence Minister: Great Britain encourages Montenegro to pursue reforms necessary to meet NATO standards

London, Great Britain (28 April 2014) – During her official visit to the Great Britain, Montenegrin Minister of Defence Milica Pejanović Đurišić met with State Secretary for Defence Philip Hammond and Minister for International Security Strategy Andrew Morrison.

Minister Pejanović Đurišić informed State Secretary Hammond about the results Montenegro achieved on its Euro-Atlantic path, as well as planned activities for the coming period.

The meeting particularly discussed the progress achieved in the field of the rule of law, security sector reform, modernisation of the Montenegrin Armed Forces and in increasing public support for NATO membership. The Ministry of Defence is committed to modernising and equipping Montenegro’s Armed Forces in accordance with the NATO standards, Minister Pejanović Đurišić underlined, adding that these reforms are aimed at establishing small interoperable system of defence.

“Montenegro will continue being a factor of stability in the region and contributing to the efforts of international community in building peace and preserving stability at the global level,” she highlighted.

“We hope that NATO will recognise Montenegro’s progress made towards the integration process and in that regard we hope for NATO membership’s invitation in the coming summit,” Montenegro’s Defence Minister added.

UK Secretary of State for Defence Andrew Hammond commended Montenegro for the significant results it made within NATO accession process and voiced his confidence that NATO will recognise Montenegro’s efforts in meeting NATO standards, adding that Montenegro has to continue implementing the required reforms.
Montenegro and the Great Britain have very good bilateral cooperation and British Ministry of Defence is willing to support Montenegro in all aspects of its NATO accession process, the State Secretary for Defence concluded.