Bošković, Pendeš: Montenegro's membership in NATO to improve security of Western Balkans

Podgorica, Montenegro (14 February 2017) -- Minister of Defence Predrag Bošković met today with the Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Marina Pendeš, who is paying an official visit to Montenegro in the delegation of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, headed by the Council's Chairman Denis Zvizdić.

Minister Pendeš congratulated Minister Bošković on a comprehensive progress Montenegro has made on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration, expressing the expectation that Montenegro will become a full member of NATO as soon as possible and thus further improve the security situation in the Western Balkans.

Minister Bošković said that the cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence is good, but there are all the preconditions to improve it in the future. He emphasised the good quality cooperation between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina within the US-Adriatic Charter, joint participation in the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, as well as training for participation in the peace support missions.

Minister Bošković stated that Montenegro will continue to be strongly committed to the European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Western Balkans' countries, stressing the readiness for the expert experiences exchange in these areas.

The officials agreed that stronger cooperation between the countries of the region in the field of defence is a prerequisite for continuing of mutual trust building and ensuring a long-term peace in this region.