FM Darmanović in Washington: Alliance is guarantor of security in Euro-Atlantic area for 70 years

Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović participated in a ministerial meeting of NATO member states in Washington.

The focus of the discussion during the first working session was on a relationship with Russia, with particular reference to the breach of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and security in the Black Sea. On this occasion, Minister Darmanović reiterated full support to NATO's dual-track approach towards Russia, pointing to the importance Montenegro attaches to the policy of deterrence and defence, as confirmed by deploying members of the Montenegrin Armed Forces to Latvia.

During the second working session, the allies discussed the issues of combating terrorism and analyzed security challenges, with an emphasis on the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the implications of the peace process in Afghanistan and NATO engagement in that country. In this regard, Minister Darmanović emphasised the importance Montenegro attaches to the stability of its southern partners and to the challenges facing the South. He pointed to the contribution that Montenegro provides through trust funds to build the defence capacities of southern partners, but also through Alliance's 360-degree approach to deterrence and defence, as well as the increase in the number of our representatives in NATO missions. In this regard, he informed the participating foreign ministers about deployment of the 10th Montenegrin Armed Forces contingent in Afghanistan, as well as the proposal of the Defence and Security Council to send members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro to the NATO mission in Iraq, thus contributing to building stability and security of Iraq.

Furthermore, NATO foreign ministers discussed the transatlantic link and burden-sharing. Minister Darmanović reiterated the importance of the Alliance's unity, which is the guarantor of security in Euro-Atlantic area for 70 years. He pointed to the efforts to fulfill the undertaken commitments and stressed that Montenegro intends to implement its obligations from Wales, in accordance with the National plan for investing in defence.

On the margins of the meetings, Minister Darmanović met with foreign ministers of Turkey, Croatia, Norway and Belgium.