Deputy Prime Minister Igor Lukšić sends Letter of Intent to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

Podgorica, Montenegro (25 February 2016) -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić sent earlier today a Letter of Intent to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressing Montenegro’s interest in joining  the Alliance and willingness to assume the rights and obligations arising from the membership.

The letter reiterates Montenegro’s willingness to continue with the comprehensive reform process in the key areas aimed at improving the rule of law and increasing the level of public support.

The sending of the Letter of Intent will be followed by the preparation and signing of the Protocol on the Accession of Montenegro, which will enable Montenenegro to participate in NATO meetings as an invitee, whereas the member-states will start the ratification process.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Igor Lukšić received on 22 December a letter by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, which formally invited Montenegro to begin the process of accession to NATO.

Montenegro has officially invited to join the Alliance at NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels on 2 December 2015.