Speaking in Podgorica yesterday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Montenegro's commitment to the Alliance, particularly highlighting that the country allocates more than two per cent of its GDP to defence.
Following a meeting with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, Rutte said that Montenegro continues to actively contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the Balkans, a region of major strategic importance to NATO.
"As Russia continues its war in Ukraine and China expands its influence, it is crucial that allies invest in their own security in order to counter harmful external influences. I am grateful to Montenegro for its continued support for Ukraine - we must all do more," Rutte stated.
Speaking about NATO's future, he assessed that the Alliance is currently very strong and recalled that member states had jointly agreed to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP.
According to both officials, the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, which will be held in a few weeks’ time, will be an important opportunity to demonstrate the Alliance’s unity.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić stated that Montenegro’s military investments are still ahead and announced the signing of an intergovernmental agreement with the United States during June.
"The Armed Forces of Montenegro are facing serious and important projects, and I believe we will become an even better and more effective NATO member," Spajić said.
He emphasised that Montenegro is "the Western Balkans in miniature", which, according to him, enables the country to serve as a factor of connection and stability in the region.
"We do not have an ethnic majority and we may be the only country in Europe without a majority nation, but that is not a weakness - it is our advantage. It is precisely from this position that we can contribute greatly to easing tensions, connecting people and improving mutual understanding across the Western Balkans," Spajić underlined.
During his visit to Montenegro, Rutte is also scheduled to meet with President Jakov Milatović, as well as with students from the state university in Montenegro.
(M.A./EUpravo zato/index.hr)
