NATO Summit in Warsaw: Minister Pejanović Đurišić at meeting of Defence Ministers

In that capacity, Montenegro was present at all meetings during the two-day work. Members of Montenegrin delegation, which was led by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, were Defense Minister Prof. Milica Pejanovic Djurisic and Montenegrin Ambassador to NATO Dragana Radulovic.

During the Summit, NATO adopted the Political Declaration, an umbrella policy document of the Alliance, in which Montenegro was welcomed as a new member.
On the second day of NATO Summit in Warsaw, a Interoperability Platform format meeting at the level of defence ministers was held, attended by Minister of Defence of Montenegro Milica Pejanović Đurišić.

Interoperability Platform was adopted at the Summit in Wales in 2014 and since then, a number of countries have joined the initiative, including Montenegro. This initiative recognised the importance of partnership in a changed security environment, as well as the need to improve interoperability of allied and partner forces.

Today's meeting adopted a Road Map for further enhancing interoperability, with special emphasis on crisis situations. NATO will in future intensify cooperation with partners in the areas of education, training, skills development and capacity building, with a view to better managing crises.

Defence Minister Pejanović Đuišić said that Montenegro has recognised the importance and need to strengthen interoperability. Therefore, during its defence and military reform, Montenegro has used all available NATO mechanisms to the maximum extent possible, in particular the PARP and OCC. Interoperability of Montenegro’s forces have been confirmed by their participation in the ISAF and Resolute Support missions, she underlined.

The Minister said that Montenegro, as a future member of the Alliance, encourages other partner countries to join NATO initiatives and take advantage of all available mechanisms in order to build modern and interoperable forces. The Defence Minister concluded that the Road Map, which was adopted earlier today, will further strengthen the ability of joint action of partners and allied forces in case of emergencies.

On the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Warsaw, Minister Pejanović Đurišić had a series of bilateral meetings with defence and foreign ministers of NATO member states. The meeting underlined that it is necessary to complete the ratification of the Accession Protocol in the member states of the Alliance as quickly as possible.

Ministers of the allied countries pointed out that Montenegro’s commitment to the reform process recommended the country as a future credible ally and that the Government in Podgorica can count on NATO partners’ full support. Minister Pejanović Đurišić thanked NATO countries for their support throughout the entire integration process, hopeful that quality and comprehensive cooperation will continue within the framework of NATO, as well as on a bilateral basis.