Bošković for HRT: By joining the Alliance, we’re sending a message of peace, stability and coexistence to the region

"By joining the Alliance, Montenegro is sending a message of peace, stability and coexistence to the region. After becoming full-fledged member of the Alliance, we will persist in giving impetus to the rest of the Western Balkans to become members of the Alliance as well, because it seems to be the only way to guarantee peace and stability for the entire region", said Minister of Defense, Mr. Predrag Bošković in an interview for Croatian Radio Television (HRT) on the occasion of two-day official visit to Zagreb.
In an interview with a journalist and editor of HRT Dragan Nikolic, the minister expressed hope that our country would become the 29th member of NATO at the Summit in Brussels on May 25, stressing that it depends now on the Netherlands, which has complicated procedures on ratification of the Protocol of accession, while the upper house of the Spanish parliament is expected to do so in forthcoming period.

The Minister said that Montenegro's path to NATO presents its great historical turning point, as it finally started to take care of itself rather than others. "Throughout history we have learned through mistakes, especially in 1918, when we were on the winner side of the First World War, but on the other side we lost the state," said Boskovic.

Montenegrin Defense Minister spoke about various aspects of Montenegro's membership in NATO, on the necessary reforms of the defense, but also of the legal and political system that our country has made to reach this stage of Euro-Atlantic integration, about commitments that we need to make after admission, military and total defense capabilities, as well as strategic plans for the development of the defense system.

Minister commented the arguments of NATO membership opponents, as well as their actions and their political centers, including a coup attempt during elections in October last year. Boskovic said that Montenegro is a small country, but geopolitically very important.

He recalled that Croatia had done much to help Montenegro in Euro-Atlantic integration, expressing the gratitude for that to the Croatian leadership and the Ministry of Defense. "We have more than excellent cooperation with Croatia, at all levels", the minister said.