Regional cooperation crucial for dealing with modern security issues

Podgorica, Montenegro (14 October 2014) – Integration process represents the best framework for the implementation of reforms and raising the quality of life, but it cannot be achieved without active regional cooperation, promotion of good relations among neighbours and conducting politics within the regional context, National Coordinator for NATO Nebojša Kaluđerović emphasised in his address at the meeting of political directors from Western Balkan states, which took place in Budva.

National Coordinator Kaluđerović highlighted that the decision on launching intensified and focused dialogue proves that Montenegro has achieved a signifficant progress and that it will make additional efforts towards conducting reform process in four key areas in order to receive an invitiation to become a full-fledged NATO member by the end of 2015. In that regard, he reiterated that NATO open door policy is very important for the entire region.

Montenegro's Deputy Defence Minister Ivan Mašulović underlined that the regional cooperation in the defence sector is crucial for every single state, not only in terms of reducing and eliminating the risk of armed conflicts, but also in terms of joining forces to deal with threats and challenges such as terrorism, organised crime, natural and technological disasters, energy instability and cyber terrorism. Montenegro is fully committed to be a credible partner to all initiatives aimed at joining capacities within the NATO “smart defence” and EU “pooling and sharing” concepts, he concluded.

The meeting also discussed models for improving regional cooperation in order to establish joint training centres and development of regional capacities for peace keeping operations and crisis management.