Defence Minister Pejanović Đurišić meets with NATO Deputy Secretary General

Podgorica, Montenegro (2 November 2016) – Defence Minister Milica Pejanovic Đurišić met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller, who paid her first official visit to Montenegro.

Pejanovic-Djurisic presented the Ministry’s activities carried out within the framework of accession process and integration into NATO, emphasising Montenegro’s contribution to the Alliance’s activities and operations. Given the fact that Montenegro shares common values with NATO, the Minister stressed Montenegro's commitment to continue the reform process and achieve NATO standards.

NATO Deputy Secretary General expressed satisfaction with the progress Montenegro made and said that the Alliance fully supports the country on its path. She noted that NATO member states’ willingness to accept Montenegro was reflected in the good dynamic of the ratification process in the allies’ parliaments.

The two officials agreed that a stable Western Balkans was a precondition for security and stability on the European continent. In this context, they emphasised the importance of regional cooperation and continuance of integration processes.

They also discussed implementing the decisions made at the Summit in Warsaw, as well as the conclusions from the recent NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels.

NATO delegation also included John Manza, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Operations, James Mackey, Head of Euro-Atlantic and Global Partnerships, Policy Affairs and Security Policy Division on the topic of Partnership and Barbora Maronkova, Acting Head of Press and Media.