Montenegro takes part in NATO Summit in Warsaw as future member

Warsaw, Poland (8 July 2016) -- Delegation of the Government of Montenegro, led by Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, takes part in a two-day NATO Summit, which began earlier today in Warsaw. The Montenegrin delegation also includes Defence Minister Milica Pejanović Đurišić. Montenegro for the first time participates in the Summit of the Alliance as a future member.

On the first day of the summit, senior officials from NATO countries focused on the adoption of measures to further adapt the Alliance to the changing security environment, as well as the strengthening of NATO's collective defence.

Prime Minister Đukanović supported the ally’s efforts towards further strengthening defence capabilities of the Alliance. He stressed that it is essential to preserve the principle of unity and solidarity among member states, emphasising the importance of collective defence as the best guarantor of stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. He also noted that the NATO summit is held at a very important moment for the Alliance, and that in terms of the unpredictable security threats, it is of particular importance for Montenegro to sit at the same table with other NATO members.

The Prime Minister also participated in a working dinner which, in addition to heads of government of member states of NATO, was also attended by presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, as well as presidents of Finland and Sweden.

On the sidelines of the NATO Summit, the Prime Minister took part in the GLOBSEC forum and spoke about the role of NATO in maintaining peace. He stressed that Montenegro, as a future NATO member, is willing to assume responsibility for strengthening the Alliance, its unity and solidarity. He stated that Montenegro sees its role, among other things, in "projecting stability" in its own environment, as an active and already proven promoter of regional cooperation, good neighbourly relations, confidence and peace in the Western Balkans.