Minister Pejanović Đurišić: Montenegro fully committed to implementing NATO membership requirements

Brussels, Belgium (4 June 2014) – Minister of Defence Milica Pejanović Đurišić attended the North Atlantic Council’s ministerial meeting in ISAF format, which discussed the security situation in Afghanistan, with a particular emphasis on the analysis of terms for launching the new non-combat mission after 2014.

Minister Pejanović Đurišić informed the meeting’s participants about plans for engaging Montenegro’s Armed Force in ISAF mission until the end of the mandate and reiterated its intent to be part of the new mission which will be a subject to the approval of the Parliament of Montenegro.

In that regard, Minister Pejanović Đurišić highlighted the importance of the second round of presidential elections in Afghanistan and she was hopeful that the elections would be conducted successfully. She voiced her expectations that bilateral security agreement between the USA and Afghanistan and Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) will be signed soon for the period after 2014. These agreements would create conditions for planning the “Decisive Support” mission, she concluded.

The Defence Minister voiced belief that the Summit in Wales, in addition to issues related to the future of Afghanistan and other priorities for allies, will discuss further NATO enlargement. She underlined that Montenegro has shown full commitment to implementing the NATO standards and criteria, hoping the allies will recognise its efforts in the accession process.

Montenegro’s membership to NATO would strengthen not only the safety and stability of the region, but of the entire Europe, Minister Pejanović Đurišić pointed out.