Minister Pejanović Đurišić meets Austrian counterpart Doskozil: Successful military cooperation guarantees partnership in other fields

Podgorica, Montenegro (24 June 2016) – Minister of Defence Milica Pejanović Đurišić hosted today Minister of Defense and Sports of the Republic of Austria Hans Peter Doskozil, who is on an official visit to Montenegro.

Minister Doskozil pointed out that Austria supports Montenegro in realising its most important foreign policy priorities and that it is recognised as a reliable partner of the international community. He welcomed the current initiatives of cooperation between ministries and armies of the two countries and expressed confidence that the partnership will continue in the future at all levels. Mr Doskozil informed Minister Pejanović Đurišić about the activities carried out in the Austrian defense and security sector, which are mainly aimed at the further development and modernisation of the sector, with the ultimate goal of an adequate response to current security challenges and threats.

Minister Pejanović Đurišić informed Minister Doskozil about priority activities of the Ministry of Defense and plans for the future. She stressed the importance of cooperation and partnership with the Republic of Austria in the defense sector, which was established immediately after the restoration of Montenegro's independence. The Minister expressed confidence that today's visit represents an additional impulse for new initiatives of joint action, and that the successful military cooperation guarantees partnership in all other fields of Austria and Montenegro. Montenegrin Defence Minister also stated that Montenegro will continue to be stabilising factor in the Western Balkans region, stressing the importance of constant and strong support from Austria to European integration processes.

The two officials also discussed current security risks and challenges, with particular reference to migrant crisis. Ministers agreed that joint action by all the countries of Europe was needed, and that individual national solutions were not an adequate response. On this occasion, Minister Pejanović Đurišić said that Montenegro remains strongly committed to strengthening cooperation with international partners and confirmed its commitment to further contribute to peace both in the region and globally.

The ministers agreed that cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense was intensive, especially when it comes to strengthening capacity in mountain warfare, and expressed readiness for its further improvement in other areas of the defense sector.