Zagreb: Minister Bošković and President Grabar-Kitarović emphasise high level of cooperation between Montenegro and Croatia

Zagreb, Croatia (6 April 2017) -- Minister of Defence Predrag Bošković met today with President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović.

Minister Bošković said that Montenegro and the Republic of Croatia are neighboring countries that continuously develop and improve their bilateral relations, which is particularly emphasised in the process of Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic integration. He thanked Croatia for the support it continuously provides to Montenegro in order to meet the requirements of the Euro-Atlantic agenda and become a part of the collective security system.

The Minister stressed that the forthcoming Montenegro's accession to the Alliance demonstrates the strong commitment of our country to share Western system of values. He highlighted the importance of accession of the Western Balkans to the North Atlantic Alliance as the best guarantee of peace and stability in this part of Europe. “The example of Montenegro should serve as an incentive for other aspirants, especially for our neighbors that we look forward to see as soon as possible in the position where Montenegro is today,” Minister Bošković noted.

Grabar-Kitarović congratulated Montenegro on the results achieved through comprehensive reforms and expressed the hope that the process of its accession to NATO will be completed in the nearest future. She expressed satisfaction with the fruitful bilateral cooperation, not only in the field of defence, and also stressed that she highly appreciates the contribution of our country to establishing peace and stability, both at the regional and global level.

During a visit to the Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman”, Minister Bošković met today with the host, the Commander of the Academy, Lieutenant General Slavko Barić, as well as members of the Army of Montenegro who are educated and trained in Croatia.

He will meet tomorrow with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Croatia Damir Krstičević, as well as members of the Croatian Defence Council. The agreement of the two ministries on Montenegrin cadets’ education in the study programmes in Croatia will be signed.