Minister Bošković pays visit to US Atlantic Council in Washington

Minister of Defence Predrag Bošković participated today in Washington in the Round Table organized by the Atlantic Council of the United States.

On that occasion, the Minister met with the Executive Vice President of the Council Damon Wilson, as well as with the members of the Board of Directors and experts for the Balkans. The subject of the talks was the security issues of the Western Balkans, especially in the light of the full membership of Montenegro in the Alliance.

Bošković thanked Wilson for the contribution the US Atlantic Council provided for promoting and affirming the importance of Montenegro's membership in NATO, stressing that such support contributed to strengthening the awareness of the importance of the Western Balkans' security aspect for the overall stability of the European continent. He pointed to the importance of cooperation between the Atlantic Council of Montenegro and the Atlantic Council of the United States, in particular in the field of active monitoring and analysis of global security trends.

Wilson stressed that Montenegro will continue to provide an adequate contribution to the collective security system, and as a regional leader in the integration processes, will influence other aspirant countries to insist on the implementation of the necessary reforms.

At the meeting with members of the Board of Directors and experts for the Balkans, the interlocutors discussed current security situations in the Western Balkans and emphasised the significance of the presence of the US in the region. They particularly stressed the role played by this country in the promotion of Euro-Atlantic values, support for democratic reforms and the dynamics of dialogue between countries, i.e. the deterrence of negative external influences.

Bošković stressed that Montenegro remains strongly committed to European integration and strengthening the bilateral defence cooperation. Bošković added that the Ministry of Defence would continue to actively promote NATO open door policy and provide adequate political and expert assistance to other countries in the region in implementation of the necessary membership reforms.

He also presented the priorities of the Ministry of Defence, emphasising the commitment to modernize and equip the Army of Montenegro in accordance with the highest standards. Bošković stressed in particular the support of the United States, as the main strategic ally in this area.