During COVID-19 global pandemic, EU-WB partnership was undoubtedly confirmed. When we take a look at the lessons learned, I would say that construction of resistant systems and societies is one of the greatest challenges for all our countries – Minister of Foreign Affairs Đorđe Radulović stated at the Warsaw Security Forum, which is held today and tomorrow in the Republic of Poland.

This Forum is a leading European platform, dedicated to trans-atlantic cooperation, which gathers high representatives and experts from NATO member countries and partners from the European Union, with a goal of perceiving common security challenges.

The head of Montenegrin Diplomacy spoke at the round table, “European Union-a reliable partner of the Western Balkans? Lessons learned from the global pandemic”.

During the discussion with high officials of Albania, Slovenia, North Macedonia and Croatia, Minister Radulović presented a national viewpoint regarding EU’s role during the pandemic in Montenegro and the region. He confirmed the significance of cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, as well as any future health and security threats, regarding the fact that the European space carries risks, manageable only through joint efforts.

The Head of Montenegrin Diplomacy assessed that the strengthening of capacities and response to the challenges, also in the interest of the European Union.

“With promoting values and standards of the EU, we are not only providing security and stability, but also improving socio-economic development, as well as democracy and the rule of law in our countries – Minister Radulović said.

He thanked for the help that the European Union and member states provided in facing the pandemic, pointing at the fact that there was no negative campaign regarding EU vaccines in Montenegro.

On the contrary, Montenegrin citizens, who support EU membership in majority, knew that the EU would not leave us alone during these challenging times – Minister Radulović said. He added that Western Balkans sees the EU integration as its final goal, thus, the enlargement policy needs to be live and dynamic.

At the margins of the Summit, Minister Radulović had a bilateral meeting the President of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, Nikoloz Samkharadaze. It was concluded that friendly relations between the two countries present a basis for further improvement of bilateral cooperation and achieving common strategic goals. Minister Radulović confirmed that Montenegro supports NATO’s open doors policy, emphasizing the significance of continuing reform implementations in sectors which are of importance to wider security.

At the margins of the Summit, Minister Radulović also met with Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Zbigniew Rau and North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, with whom he exchanged opinions regarding current security challenges in the region, as well as the wider Euro-atlantic area