Successful beginning of intensified and focused talks with NATO

Successful beginning of intensified and focused talks with NATO

The meeting of the NATO Military Committee and Montengro in the 28+1 format was held today at the Hotel „Maestral“, Budva. The meeting was opened by the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General Knud Bartels. General Bartels said that the Military Committee visit wass part of the intensified and focused talks with Montenegro. Also, he praised the continued efforts of Montenegro in implementing the Planning and Review Process, the Partnership Goals, successful concluding of the fourth Membership Action Plan (MAP), and beginning with the fifth. ”Your desire to intensify the NATO-Montenegro relationship is entirely welcome and we look forward to your increased participation in NATO Exercises”, said General Bartles.

The Minister of Defence Prof. Milica Pejanović –Đurišić, PhD said that Montenegro remains strongly determined to fulfil requirements for joining NATO’s shared defence and security system, and expressed the readiness and commitment to continue with the focused and intensified reforms once we receive the initiative to join the Alliance. Additionally, she pointed out that Montenegro and its Armed Forces will be a solid, confident and reliable partner.

The Minister Pejanović –Đurišić reminded that Montenegro successfully presented its fifth Annual National Program in NATO Headquarters in Brussels, two weeks ago, which reaffirmed our determination in sharing the common values with our allies, as well as willingness and ability to assume responsibilities and obligations stemming from the NATO membership. Also, the Minister expressed her confidence that only the process of Euro-Atlantic integration can ensure long-term, self-sustaining security and stability of the Western Balkan region; and that overall reforms, which have been undertaken in Montenegro since it gained its independence, have common goal – democratization of the society.

At the working part of the meeting, the cooperation between Montenegro and NATO has been considered and analyzed and it was jointly concluded that the cooperation was well-planned and successfully implemented. As a result, an intensive communication has been established and a number of activities, which ultimately contributed to a significant improvement of the overall capabilities of the Army of Montenegro, have been implemented.  

The Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces of Montenegro Admiral Dragan Samardžić and his colleagues presented previous accomplishments and plans for further development and modernization of AF MNE, and integration of defence system into the NATO structure.

The  Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General Bartles thanked for the invitation and praised the results achieved by Montenegro. Additionally, General Bartels has rated the meeting as a very successful one and pointed out that in the next period they will continue to support Montenegro on its path to the Euro-Atlantic integration. 

Addressing of the Minister of Defence Pejanović –Đurišić

Addressing of the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General Bartels