Fico and Lajčák congratulate PM Marković on Montenegro's membership in NATO

On the occasion of Montenegro’s membership in NATO, Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák sent a congratulatory message to the Prime Minister Duško Marković.

Fico said that full membership represents an historic step forward and confirms the decision of citizens on the restoration of independence in 2006.

“I am convinced that Montenegro will continue to be a factor of stability in the region and a positive example of integration success. Montenegro’s accession is of great importance for the Western Balkans and NATO, because it shows countries in the region that their efforts in the area of integration can be successful and in the case of NATO – it confirms the authenticity of the open door policy,” PM Fico said in his congratulatory message.

He added that Slovakia is pleased to monitor our significant progress in the reform process towards European integration. “I want to assure you that on your integration path you can always count on the support of Slovakia,” PM Fico stressed.

In his congratulatory message, Minister Lajčák stated that ratification by all member states of NATO means the evaluation of the results that Montenegro has made on the path of reforms, given that it was achieved in a much more complex international circumstances in relation to the upcoming period.

“I am sure that Montenegro’s membership in NATO will encourage integration, democratic reforms, trade, security, stability of other countries in the Western Balkans. I am pleased with already active Montenegro’s commitment to the key tasks of NATO through contributions to the efforts of the Alliance on defence and projecting stability,” Minister Lajčák said in his congratulatory message.