Regional cooperation and mutual trust key factors for maintaining Western Balkan's stability

Podgorica, Montenegro (17 October 2014) -- Intensified and focused dialogue, exclusively created for Montenegro at the NATO summit in Wales, proves that Montenegro is the most serious candidate for the membership, which is an extra incentive for implementing reforms in the defence sector, Montenegro’s Minister of Defence Milica Pejanović Đurišić pointed out at today’s meeting with his Croatian counterpart Ante Kotromanović in Podgorica.

Minister Pejanović Đurišić said the stability of the Western Balkans and the entire South East Europe can be maintained only by improving regional cooperation and mutual trust. In that context, she particularly stressed the importance of the cooperation with Croatia and Montenegro’s appreciation for the country's continued support for Montenegro’s EU and NATO bid.

Croatian Defence Minister Kotromanović noted the two ministries have developed excellent cooperation during the joint participation in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, and that the decision of the Summit in Wales confirms that Montenegro has achieved significant results in joining NATO. 

He also voiced concern over the fact that Montenegro was not invited to join the alliance at the very summit, adding the invitation has to be sent in 2015, as any other delay will harm stability of both NATO's and the region. Mr Kotromanović voiced belief that Montenegro will, through intensified and focused dialogue, fulfill all the requirements from its NATO agenda.

The two ministers also discussed the current bilateral cooperation, hoping it will be intensified in the coming period, especially in terms of education and training of Montenegrin cadets and members of the Armed Forces, cooperation between the two navy and air forces, participation in regional exercises and joint involvement in international missions and operations.