Defence Minister Milica Pejanović Đurišić met earlier today with General Peter Pavel, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, who is on a two-day visit to Montenegro. The meeting focused on topics concerning Montenegro’s future steps towards full membership in the Alliance, as well as the most effective way of integrating the country’s Armed Forces in NATO structures.
The Defence Minister pointed out that Montenegro had successfully fulfilled numerous demanding commitments that preceded the membership invitation, which created new challenges that will be the focus of Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic agenda. Expressing belief that constructive and successful period expects us in further integration process, Minister Pejanović Đurišić added that such top-level meetings are part of joint efforts to create the necessary conditions for Montenegro to join the Alliance as soon as possible.
“We expect this phase to be successfully completed in late April by the signing of a protocol on our country’s accession to NATO,” Minister Pejanović Đurišić stated, adding that Montenegro expects the support by NATO partners to be continued in the time ahead.
General Pavel emphasised Montenegro’s role and importance for the overall stability in the region. He said he is impressed by the pace of reforms Montenegro has implemented in the defence sector and that he sees the country as a future important member of the Alliance. He stressed the importance of strengthening the integration process, because, according to the Chairman of NATO Military Committee, only together we can resist and confront the new security challenges.
