PM Marković: By joining NATO a year ago, Montenegro entered new - Euro-Atlantic era thanks to which it is stable, safe and secure country

Podgorica, Montenegro (5 June 2018) -- Prime Minister Duško Marković noted on the occasion of the first anniversary of Montenegro’s accession to NATO that the moment also marked the beginning of a new - Euro-Atlantic epoch for Montenegro, which implies security, safety and stability of the State.

"We gathered tonight in the Montenegrin Old Royal Capital, exactly one year after Montenegro’s becoming a full member of NATO, to mark this historic event and our country’s accomplishments in the first year of membership. In Cetinje, where our statehood, identity and culture have been created and preserved for centuries, the Montenegrin Parliament ratified the Washington Treaty on 28 April 2017. Following the ratification of the Protocol on the Accession of Montenegro in just over a year, the signing ceremony of handing over the ratification instruments took place in Washington. That moment marked the entry of our country into the community of the most developed countries of today, and the beginning of a new era for Montenegro. The new, Euro-Atlantic epoch means a lasting guarantee of the sovereignty and inviolability of our borders, and thanks to that, Montenegro is nowadays a stable, secure and safe country," said the Prime Minister in Cetinje at the reception he hosted on the occasion of the first anniversary of Montenegro's membership in NATO.

The Prime Minister said that today Montenegro, together with 28 member states, its partners and friends, shares the concern about its own and global security, and the preservation and strengthening of common democratic values.

"From today on, based on the principles of solidarity as a fundamental value of the Alliance, the security of the Montenegrin sky will be protected by Allies, namely Italy and Greece," the Prime Minister stressed.

Prime Minister Marković recalled that our economy has also experienced impressive progress in almost all sectors this year, with a growth rate that is among the greatest not only in the region, but in Europe as well.

"This has contributed to the creation of new jobs and increasing the standard of living of our citizens. During this period, the country has improved its reputation on the international financial market, and has become of one of the most attractive destinations for tourists and investors. All this indicates that NATO membership has given our country the opportunity to ensure dynamic development and achieve the quality of life of the most developed countries in the European and Euro-Atlantic area," said Prime Minister Duško Marković.

Speaking about the past year and the results of Montenegro's membership in NATO, the Prime Minister urged those who opposed the accession to consider all aspects of membership.

"It is a right moment to evaluate from this distance whether the forecasts and suspicions about the Montenegrin accession to the Alliance were founded or not. Has Montenegro lost its sovereignty and identity? Are NATO bases established in our cities? Is the cost of membership in the Alliance endangering the sustainability of the state budget? Of course not. In the past year, the Montenegrin citizens have stronger than ever confirmed the European and Euro-Atlantic orientation of the State. I also use this opportunity to invite all the citizens, including those who did not support Montenegro's membership in NATO, to consider objectively all these aspects, and to join our forces in order to contribute to internal cohesion and overall social progress," the Prime Minister underlined.

Prime Minister Duško Marković said that Montenegro will preserve and promote the values of freedom, peace and dialogue.

"Our membership is in the service of our country and our citizens. It is in the interest of Montenegro and its partners, and the democratic values we share together. For this reason, we will continue the process of integration into the European Union with an even greater commitment. This means further and determined strengthening of the rule of law and democratic institutions," said the Prime Minister.

At the end of his address at the ceremony marking the first anniversary of Montenegro's membership in NATO, the Prime Minister gave his appreciation to all who have made this goal possible.

"I will take this opportunity to extend my thanks to all who made this goal possible. I would like once again to express appreciation to the representatives of the member states and the countries that played the role of NATO contact countries in Montenegro. I also thank the representatives of the civil society and non-governmental organisations. I would like to express my gratitude to our administration that worked hard on fulfilling the accession obligations, especially the members of the Inter-ministerial Team and Communication Team, as well as the national coordinators for NATO," Prime Minister Duško Marković concluded, congratulating the citizens of Montenegro on the anniversary of membership.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO