NATO invitation is clear message that Western Balkan countries are high on NATO and EU agenda, DPM Marković says

Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković participated earlier today in Pristina in the ministerial meeting "Global Challenges and the Role of NATO and the EU in the Western Balkans", having been held within the conference titled "Security in Southeast Europe in the Light of Broader Regional Challenges".

During the panel discussion, DPM Marković stressed the achievements of the Western Balkans on the path to Euro-Atlantic and European integration, and raised questions about the challenges the countries are dealing with.

"We live in a time of interconnectedness, where changes or instability in one part of the world affect the regions thousands of kilometers away from the focus of these events. In that regard, the Western Balkans cannot be immune to challenges such as international terrorism, transcontinental crime, conflict in Europe or the Middle East, building a proper attitude to powerful migratory movements, the economic and financial crisis and its negative effects. Therefore, wherever instability occurs, it represents a common problem that can be solved only by joint forces, primarily through collective security mechanisms" he underscored.

The Deputy Prime Minister also commented on the current foreign policy of the Western Balkan countries, which, he believes, will include stronger regional cooperation and a better basis for social and economic development.

"In political terms, by inviting Montenegro to join NATO at the moment of certain global security instability, they have sent a clear message that the countries of the Western Balkans are high on the agenda of NATO and the EU," DPM Markovic concluded.

Following the ministerial panel, Mr Markovic met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo Hashim Thaci.

"Relations between Montenegro and Kosovo are friendly and without outstanding issues which could jeopardize good neighbourly atmosphere, the meeting emphasised.

The meeting focused on the issues of regional cooperation, and DPM Marković presented activities in the field of the rule of law and overall reforms in Montenegro. Deputy Prime Minister Thaci stated that Kosovo was pleased because of NATO invitation to Montenegro and encouraged the Montenegrin Government to continue the reform momentum.

It was also decided that the two Governments, i.e. the two states, strongly expressed willingness to further develop and upgrade the diplomatic, security and economic cooperation.