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National Security Agency Voice of America: Montenegro Deserved Invitation
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Voice of America: Montenegro Deserved Invitation
Published on: Jul 15, 2014 • 8:36 PM Author: Voice of America
Montenegro deserved to be invited to join NATO, agreed analysts in Washington, because it met a great number of obligations. Delaying obligations are considered to be a mistake, but the analysts are convinced that the invitation will be extended during the next year. What could influence the decision of Ministers, we will hear from an interview of VOA journalist, Milena Đurđić with American analysts.
Ian Brezinski, a senior fellow in the Atlantic Council says to VOA that Montenegro has shown that it had fulfilled the requirements for membership.
Ian Brezinski, Atlantic Council: "Of course, for obtaining invitation. Government is firmly determined to bring the country into the Alliance. Montenegrin forces have been participating in NATO operations. Montenegro deserves an invitation and you should get it”.
That Montenegro is ready for admission in NATO also agrees an advisor of the Centre for Transatlantic Relations at John Hopkins University, Michael Holzel who, in a recently published article for the Washington Post Journal, advocated the accession of Montenegro and Macedonia into the Alliance.
Michael Holzel, John Hopkins University: "Based on what I can see, although I have no longer access to classified intelligence, my answer is “yes”. However, I do not have all data at my disposal. There were rumours that a big obstacle, at some point, was the infiltration of Russian agents. I do not know if this is still the case, but I was told that at least the Central Intelligence Agency believes that it is no longer the case”.
Holzel emphasizes that delaying the admission of Montenegro is a mistake, but also mentions that the invitation for membership does not have to be extended at the Summit.
Michael Holzel, John Hopkins University: "I think that Montenegro will become a NATO member, and it will probably happen in 2015. I do not want to dramatize the issue too much. I do not doubt that Montenegro will be admitted, and I wish I could be so sure in regard with other countries”.
Ian Brezinski, Atlantic Council: "I'm worried about the current hesitation, for which there is no reason. 2015 is, essentially, a postponement. They are not doing anything that could show that it is a certain date for invitation?
Montenegrin authorities should take advantage of the forthcoming period to improve results in certain areas, and wage campaign to inform its citizens about the Alliance, which, as Michael Holzel points out, is very important. To continue the enlargement, the analysts in Washington think, that there will be also required a strong pressure of the U.S. administration, for which the issue is not currently a priority.
Michael Holzel, John Hopkins University: "Washington should exert more efforts. I was told that some in the administration supported the extending an invitation to Montenegro, while some of them did not. Finally, there was not any urgent impetus to do it. Taking into consideration broader geopolitical picture in Europe after the invasion of Ukraine, I think that it is necessary to urgently make it clear that NATO will continue with its regular activities, including the enlargement.
Michael Holzel emphasizes that the crisis in Ukraine has changed the overall security structure of Europe, and that this is not the time for NATO to restrain itself from one of its key functions – the enlargement.
Ian Brezinski, a senior fellow in the Atlantic Council says to VOA that Montenegro has shown that it had fulfilled the requirements for membership.
Ian Brezinski, Atlantic Council: "Of course, for obtaining invitation. Government is firmly determined to bring the country into the Alliance. Montenegrin forces have been participating in NATO operations. Montenegro deserves an invitation and you should get it”.
That Montenegro is ready for admission in NATO also agrees an advisor of the Centre for Transatlantic Relations at John Hopkins University, Michael Holzel who, in a recently published article for the Washington Post Journal, advocated the accession of Montenegro and Macedonia into the Alliance.
Michael Holzel, John Hopkins University: "Based on what I can see, although I have no longer access to classified intelligence, my answer is “yes”. However, I do not have all data at my disposal. There were rumours that a big obstacle, at some point, was the infiltration of Russian agents. I do not know if this is still the case, but I was told that at least the Central Intelligence Agency believes that it is no longer the case”.
Holzel emphasizes that delaying the admission of Montenegro is a mistake, but also mentions that the invitation for membership does not have to be extended at the Summit.
Michael Holzel, John Hopkins University: "I think that Montenegro will become a NATO member, and it will probably happen in 2015. I do not want to dramatize the issue too much. I do not doubt that Montenegro will be admitted, and I wish I could be so sure in regard with other countries”.
Ian Brezinski, Atlantic Council: "I'm worried about the current hesitation, for which there is no reason. 2015 is, essentially, a postponement. They are not doing anything that could show that it is a certain date for invitation?
Montenegrin authorities should take advantage of the forthcoming period to improve results in certain areas, and wage campaign to inform its citizens about the Alliance, which, as Michael Holzel points out, is very important. To continue the enlargement, the analysts in Washington think, that there will be also required a strong pressure of the U.S. administration, for which the issue is not currently a priority.
Michael Holzel, John Hopkins University: "Washington should exert more efforts. I was told that some in the administration supported the extending an invitation to Montenegro, while some of them did not. Finally, there was not any urgent impetus to do it. Taking into consideration broader geopolitical picture in Europe after the invasion of Ukraine, I think that it is necessary to urgently make it clear that NATO will continue with its regular activities, including the enlargement.
Michael Holzel emphasizes that the crisis in Ukraine has changed the overall security structure of Europe, and that this is not the time for NATO to restrain itself from one of its key functions – the enlargement.
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