State Secretary Perović at the Southeast Europe Defence Ministerial meeting

"Montenegro remains united with its Allies and partners in support of peace, firmly advocates for the return of the rule of low in Ukraine, continues to consistently follow the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and joins all the Union's restrictive measures to end the war in Ukraine", said State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Krsto Perović at the Southeast Europe Defence Ministerial meeting (SEDM), which is held in Sofia.

Perović emphasized that Russia has chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign country, which violates the fundamental principles of international law and undermines Euro-Atlantic security.

"We should all be united in determination to support Ukraine in its efforts to defeat the aggressor and defend its sovereign rights," Perović said.

Perović concluded that SEDM is an important initiative in Southeast Europe, and Montenegro remains committed to the development of regional initiatives, good neighborly relations and regional cooperation.

"Meetings like this one contribute to building regional trust, cooperation and mutual understanding, as defence cooperation,  the exchange of expertise and lessons learned represent the common interest of the Southeast Europe countries," said Perović.

The participants of the meeting confirmed their determination to support SEDM initiative projects, with the ain to enhance the security dialogue and regional cooperation thus facilitating countries in achieving the goal of full membership in European and Euro-Atlantic structures as the best way to preserve stability and security in the region.

On the sidelines of the Southeast Europe Defence Ministerial meeting State Secretary Perović met with the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Ambassador Vitaly Moskalenko, and conveyed to him the full support of the Government of Montenegro for territorial integrity and the fight against aggression, noting that Montenegro will continue to provide humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine.

Perović also met with the Minister of Defense of Georgia, Juansher Burchuladze, and on that occasion they exchanged opinions on the current security situation in Europe in light of Russian aggression against Ukraine and the continued occupation of part of Georgia's territory by the Russian Federation.