NATO Military Committee-Montenegro meeting in Budva: Successful start of intensified, focused dialogue with NATO

Budva, Montenegro (28 October 2014) -- Montenegro’s continuous efforts towards the implementation of the Partnership for Peace Planning and Review Process, Partnership Goals and successful completion of the fourth and start of the fifth Membership Action Plan (MAP) are highly commendable, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Knud Bartles noted at a the NATO's Military Committee-Montenegro meeting, held earlier today in Budva in 28+1 format.

Defence Minister of Montenegro Milica Pejanović Đurišić stressed that Montenegro is completely devoted to fulfilling requirements for joining the NATO defence and security system, reiterating its commitment to continuing its reform momentum after receiving the membership invitation as well.

Ms Pejanović-Đurišić stated that Montenegro presented the Fifth Annual National Programme at the NATO headquarters in Brussels two weeks ago, thus confirming its willingness and ability to assume the responsibilities and obligations arising from NATO membership. She also voiced belief that only accession to Euro-Atlantic structure can provide long-term and self-sustaining security and stability of the Western Balkan, adding that all the reform processes taking place in Montenegro since restoring independence have had a common goal - democratisation of the society. 

Working session of the meeting assessed Montenegro-NATO cooperation has been well planned and successfully implemented. As a result, intensive communication has been established and wide range of activities that ultimately contributed to significant improvement of the overall capabilities of Montenegro’s army have been undertaken.

General Bartles noted that today’s meeting was a great success, pointing out that NATO pledges full support to Montenegro on its path towards Euro-Atlantic integration, praising the results Montenegro has achieved. He concluded by saying that Montenegro’s wish to intensify relationship with the NATO is welcomed and that the alliance looks forward to the country’s participation in intensified NATO exercises.

NATO Military Committee’s visit to Montenegro is part of the alliance’s intensified and focused dialogue with Montenegro.