DPM Lukšić: Montenegro will continue to contribute to Afghanistan's stability

Brussels, Belgium (4 December 2014) -- Montenergro's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Igor Lukšić participated in a meeting of the NATO member states and partners in future “Decisive Support” mission in Afghanistan, chaired by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels earlier today.

The meeting was attended by newly elected Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah. The meeting officially announced a new mission starting from 1 January 2015 and including 42 countries. The mission will be of non-combat character and will provide training, advice and assistance to the national institutions and the army of Afghanistan.

The meeting welcomed the fact that the assumption of full responsibility for the country's security by the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) enables the start of a new phase in relations between NATO and Afghanistan. The meeting's participants stressed that this testifies to Afghanistan’s progress and voiced willingness to provide financial contribution to strengthening the ANDSF over the 2015 - 2017 period.

DPM Lukšić said that Montenegro will continue making contribution to the establishment of stability and security of Afghanistan through its involvement in the “Decisive Support” mission, as well as through sending financial support to the Afghan authorities. He particularly welcomed the efforts of newly elected president of Afghanistan towards ensuring better future for the people of Afghanistan and voiced Montenegro’s readiness to continue to support the country individually or through regional security initiatives, namely the US - Adriatic Charter.

Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić also attended today the meeting of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, chaired by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

The meeting concluded the Islamic state poses a threat to global safety and that all the countries have to make extensive efforts in dealing with the issue by using political, military, financial and humanitarian resources.

Montenegro's head of diplomacy underlined the country’s commitment to support the efforts of the coalition in line with its capacities. He noted that Montenegro is strongly committed to combating terrorism and religious extremism, and it has co-sponsored the UN Resolution on foreign terrorist fighters. He added that the government has recently adopted amendments to the Criminal Code, which prescribes severe punishment for participation of Montenegro’s citizens in conflicts abroad.

Montenegro is strongly committed to supporting the coalition's efforts at national and regional levels, and within international organisations as well, DPM Lukšić concluded.