Montenegro makes notable progress ahead of prospective NATO invitation: Top officials meet Secretary-General

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Budva, Montenegro (14 October 2015) – Montenegro has achieved notable progress in the key areas and it needs to continue the reform momentum, particularly when it comes to increasing public support for the membership. This was the main conclusion of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on the occasion of his meeting with Deputy Prime Ministers Duško Marković and Igor Lukšić, and Defence Minister Milica Pejanović Đurišić, which took place as part of the North Atlantic Council’s two-day visit to Montenegro.

The meeting focused on Montenegro’s progress made in the process of Euro-Atlantic integration, within the intensified and focused talks with NATO.

The Secretary General pointed out that the NAC visit is an opportunity for informing the NATO member states’ ambassadors about the reforms implemented, emphasising that the information, together with the Progress Report, will form a basis for reaching a decision on extending the membership invitation by the end of the year

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Deputy Prime Minister Marković noted that the NAC visit is the most significant event in relations between Montenegro and NATO, given the fact that NATO member states will reach a decision on inviting Montenegro to join the Alliance in December. He also informed the NATO top officials about Montenegro’s reforms in the defence and security sector, as well as the activities undertaken in combating organised crime and corruption, notably the establishment of the Special Public Prosecutor’s Office and the results achieved thereafter. DPM Marković also spoke about the results of the latest public opinion polls, as well as future activities and plans in that regard.