The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Croatia Ante Kotromanović said that the decision from the Summit in Wales confirms that Montenegro achieved significant results in the process of joining NATO, and that Croatia considers it a mistake that Montenegro was not invited to the Summit.
Kotromanović, who is on an official visit to Montenegro, met with the Minister of Defense of Montenegro Milica Pejanović-Đurišić.
Kotromanović pointed out that the call must come in 2015 because any other delay will harm NATO and the stability of the entire Western Balkans region and expressed his belief that Montenegro will fulfill the set goals on the Euro-Atlantic path through an intensified and focused dialogue.
Pejanović-Đurišić, as announced by the Ministry of Defense, emphasized the importance of cooperation with Croatia.
"Pejanović-Đurišić introduced Kotromanović to the priority tasks of the Ministry of Defense and plans for the next period, in order to fulfill the set criteria. She reminded of the importance of the results of the recent NATO Summit in Wales and pointed out that the intensified and focused dialogue, which was created exclusively for Montenegro, represents a confirmation that Montenegro is the most ready and serious candidate for membership, which gives an additional impetus to the Montenegrin path towards NATO," the announcement states.
She emphasized that the stability of the Western Balkans and the whole of Southeast Europe can be maintained only by improving regional cooperation and mutual trust, as well as that regional cooperation is an important segment of the development of the countries of the region.
The meeting also discussed progress in security sector reforms, the rule of law, modernization of the military and public opinion support for NATO membership, which represent key areas in the process of joining the Alliance.
During the meeting, an agreement was signed between the Ministry of Defense of Montenegro and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Croatia on the education of cadets of the Ministry of Defense of Montenegro in the Republic of Croatia on the study programs Military Engineering and Military Leadership and Management.
During the visit, Kotromanović also met with Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, as well as with Minister without portfolio Marija Vučinović.
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