Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić meets with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Podgorica

Podgorica, Montenegro (22 May 2014) – Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić hosted Wednesday evening NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

The NATO Secretary General said that both his two-days visit and the report on Montenegro’s progress will be significant in the context of preparing the assessment on Montenegro at the NATO ministerial meeting scheduled for June.

DPM Lukšić reiterated Montenegro’s full commitment to continuing reforms in the four key areas for the NATO accession. He voiced confidence the evident and unambiguous progress Montenegro has made towards Euro-Atlantic integration is to be acknowledged at the NATO ministerial meeting.

Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister underlined the importance of the open-door policy for Montenegro and other NATO aspiring countries, stressing the membership guarantees long-term security of the entire region, but also contributes to the stability of this part of Europe. He voiced belief that the results and the ongoing reforms Montenegro has implemented to date will prove that Montenegro has qualifications to be invited to join NATO.