Montenegro's flag officially raised in front of NATO HQ and strategic commands in Mons and Norfolk

The flag of Montenegro was officially raised today, playing Montenegrin national anthem "Oh, bright dawn of May" in front of NATO headquarters in Brussels, and at the same time in strategic commands in Mons and Norfolk.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called this day historic.

"From today, across the Alliance, 29 flags will fly together, symbolising our unity and our solidarity. NATO began as an Alliance of 12 and in almost seventy years, it has grown steadily," NATO SG said, congratulating the Government and people of Montenegro on the achievements and commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration.

The Secretary General said that Montenegro now has 28 allies and friends who will come to aid.

"Welcome to the Alliance, Montenegro," SG Stoltenberg said.

President Filip Vujanović said that since 2006 Montenegro been committed to achieving Euro-Atlantic values, that it is honest and good neighbour and a country that will correspond to the challenges Europe and the world are facing with.

"We've all been waiting for this, and I believe that we deserved it," President Vujanović said.

President Vujanović also said that the relevance of today's event exceeds Montenegro because it confirmed one of the most important policies of NATO – open door policy.

The President concluded that this day marks the beginning of a new era for Montenegro, adding that it will protect and respect the values of NATO.

President of Montenegro Filip Vujanović, Minister of Defence Predrag Bošković, Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović, former prime ministers Milo Đukanović and Igor Lukšić, and former ministers of foreign affairs and defence Miodrag Vlahović, Milan Roćen, Nebojša Kaluđerović, Boro Vučinić and Milica Pejanović Đurišić attended the ceremony in Brussels.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO