Sweden supports Montenegro's European path, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ann Linde said, stating that support will not be lacking even when that country takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in January next year.
Linde said this at a meeting with the head of Montenegrin diplomacy, Đorđe Radulović, on the sidelines of the NATO ministerial meeting.
As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she praised Montenegro's complete compliance with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU.
"In this context, she simultaneously emphasized how important it is that our country, in accordance with its foreign policy priorities, makes decisions motivated by its own values and goals," the statement said.
Discussing the war in Ukraine, Radulović and Linde agreed that the conflict has changed the geopolitical reality.
They emphasized that peace as an inviolable value must be preserved.
Linde said that Sweden is increasing defense spending, considering the sustainability of the model of military neutrality in the new circumstances.
Radulović said that Montenegro and Sweden are linked by excellent bilateral relations and belonging to the same European values.
This, he said, is the basis of the belief that this country will continue to support Montenegro's progress towards EU membership.
The Ministry stated that, on the sidelines of the meeting in Brussels, Radulović also spoke with the heads of diplomacy of Finland Pek Olavi Havist, Czech Jana Lipavski and Dutch Vopke Hukstra.
It is stated that the conversation with the Finnish colleague was an opportunity to exchange opinions on the security situation and the current priorities of the Alliance, of which Sweden and Finland are not members, but cooperate with it as partner states.
Radulović emphasized that Montenegro respects the right of states to independently define foreign policy priorities and security arrangements.
He pointed out that they appreciate Finland's contribution to NATO's activities so far.
The Ministry said that Havisto, Hukstra and Lipavski welcomed Montenegro's efforts in the field of EU integration.
They pointed out that those countries will continue to support Montenegro's European path by providing support at the expert and political level.
Hukstra pointed out that, when it comes to enlargement policy, the Netherlands advocates a strict but fair approach, supporting the concept of promotion based on merit.
Lipavski pointed out that during its presidency, which begins in the summer, the Czech Republic will also be guided by that principle and provide assistance to the integration of Montenegro.
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