Ministers Bošković, Parly speak about enhancing cooperation in field of defence

Minister of Defence Predrag Bošković had an official bilateral meeting with Minister of the Armed Forces of the French Republic Florence Parly in Paris. The topic of the meeting was the modalities for improving the cooperation of the two countries in the field of defence. The two officials also exchanged views on contemporary security challenges.

Minister Bošković said that Montenegro will remain committed to strengthening cooperation with allies, as part of a family of countries whose relations are based on trust and mutual support. He emphasised Montenegro's role as promoter of pro-Western values and the North Atlantic Alliance in the region, as well as the importance of the support given by the French Republic to Montenegro in the reform of the defence system, the current cooperation in the field of aviation and naval forces, armaments, French language learning, missions and codifications.

Minister Bošković said that Montenegro highly appreciates the visible presence of France in the Western Balkans region, stressing that "this region cannot be stable without a clear Euro-Atlantic vision, as Europe cannot be safe without the full integration of the Western Balkans". He also said that security challenges can only be tackled through joint efforts, and confirmed Montenegro's readiness to participate in international missions and operations in order to contribute to the global security scene in order to preserve peace and stability. Bošković informed Minister Parly that
Montenegro is intensively working on the modernisation of military equipment, which will enable our Army to face with modern security alongside its allies, and that Montenegro has chosen the system of collective defence as its future, and has opted for continuous investment in the defence system in order to strengthen the interoperability of its forces.

Minister Parly thanked her Montenegrin counterpart for the visit, expressing satisfaction with the progress achieved and reforms made in the defence system of Montenegro, with the expectation that other countries in the region will follow our example. She emphasised that our country was recognised as a credible ally, and that Montenegro's full membership will contribute to the stability of the international community. The French Minister has specifically focused on contemporary security risks and threats, and stressed that allies must hold together in order to safely preserve the values that democratic societies cherish. She said that France would continue to support Montenegro in order to strengthen its capacities in the area of defence and security systems.

The two officials agreed that there is room for intensifying defence cooperation between the two countries, and expressed readiness to strengthen relations in the coming period.

Minister Bošković is attending the "Eurosatory 2018" Arms Fair, which lasts until 15 June in Paris.