Press release: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic had talks with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance Jaap de Hoop Scheffer today in Belgrade.

During the talks reference was made to the situation in the Western Balkans and NATOs role in strengthening peace and resolving outstanding issues, as well as Montenegros potential contribution to those processes.

The Prime Minister acquainted the Secretary General with Montenegros position defined by relations within the State Union, as well as with Montenegros interest in integrating into European and Euro-Atlantic structures as quickly as possible. He emphasized Montenegros commitment to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Belgrade Agreement and the Constitutional Charter, with a view to redefining its relations with Serbia and restoring its full statehood.

In view of the conclusions of last years NATO summit in Istanbul, reference was made to the Partnership for Peace Program and Montenegros interest in becoming part of that program as soon as possible. Montenegro has met all membership requirements, but was not admitted at the Istanbul summit since the other member of the state union had failed to cooperate with the Hague Tribunal. Participation in the program would help preserve stability in the Western Balkans, as an important part of the Euro-Atlantic space, and the further strengthening of political stability would have a positive impact on foreign investment, whose growth would accelerate economic and overall development of the country.

The Secretary General pointed out that Euro-Atlantic integration was the cornerstone of long-term stability in the region. He supported the arrangements on which the state union was founded, including the provisions referring to the revision of the future status and the right to a referendum. He commended the reformist efforts and results and reiterated the well-known requirements the international community had set for the state union on its way to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATOs structures and the Partnership for Peace Program.

In that context, Prime Minister Djukanovic said that Montenegro fully fulfilled all the international obligations it had undertaken and that it expected the other member state of the state union to do the same, adding that relevant authorities were ready to take part in the activities that were not contingent on membership in NATOs structures, that is, to make arrangements for certain training and education programs for the security sector to be conducted in Montenegro.

Todays talks and future meetings with NATOs officials are supposed to contribute to better understanding of Montenegros needs and its advance towards Euro-Atlantic structures.