Minister Bošković visits Montenegrin soldiers deployed to Afghanistan as part of Resolute Support mission

Delegation of the Ministry of Defence, headed by Minister Predrag Bošković, is paying a visit to the Montenegrin soldiers deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Resolute Support Mission.

On the first day of his visit, Minister Bošković met with Wolf-Jurgen Stahl, Commander of the German Resolute Support contingent and Commander of Train, Advise, Assist Command North. General Stahl informed Minister Bošković about the security situation in the area under his command, describing it as stable and emphasising that the achievement of the basic mission's objective is dynamic with tangible results, but that the presence of international forces is still necessary.

He stressed that the members of the Montenegrin VII contingent, who are part of the mission, have been carrying out tasks in a professional and responsible manner, thus continuing the good practice of all previous contingents of the Montenegrin Armed Forces in Afghanistan.

Minister Bošković informed Commander Stahl that since 2010, Montenegro's soldiers have been engaged in Afghanistan, first as part of the ISAF, then the Resolute Support Mission, thus making a contribution, in accordance with its capacities, to the strengthening of peace on a global scale. He said that, apart from the desire for each soldier to return from the mission safe and sound, the Ministry and the Armed Forces put a lot of emphasis on the experience the soldiers gain by fulfilling the field tasks in cooperation with their counterparts from NATO staters and contributing countries. If we add to this the fact that almost every fifth member of the Armed Forces of Montenegro participated in the ISAF or Resolute Support Mission, then we can conclude that the participation in this mission has significantly improved the level of interoperability of the Armed Forces of Montenegro and contributed to the professional response to all the tasks within the Alliance, said Minister Bošković. He concluded that the Montenegro's military will continue its participation in the mission in line with its own capabilities and the needs of the allies.

Minister Bošković laid a wreath on a memorial to persons who lost their lives by participating in the ISAF Mission or Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, including a memorial plaque dedicated to the member of the Montenegrin Army Mijail Perišić, who died of a heart attack in 2011 while he was in the ISAF Mission.

During his visit to the Montenegrin soldiers, Minister Bošković expressed satisfaction that they are all in good health, reiterating that they are the best representatives of the Armed Forces, but also of the entire Montenegrin society and the State.