Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, General Andrew Rowling, assessed that the Army of Montenegro is capable of contributing to security within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
He stated in an interview with "Vijesta" that NATO sees the security situation in the Western Balkans as stable, but as something that it must pay attention to.
When asked if Montenegro should introduce mandatory military service, following the example of neighboring Serbia and Croatia, Roling replied that maintaining a strong and capable army is important for every country, but that it is up to each of them to decide about it.
"... Because every country observes mandatory military service in a different way. I think that countries around the world have difficulties to meet the levels of recruitment and capacity building in the army, if they decide to introduce mandatory military service. Again, it is the decision of each country, which must consider the pros and cons of that issue," he said.
When asked whether NATO will remain stable if Donald Trump becomes the head of the United States of America again, Rowling said that it is a political issue and that the only thing he can announce in his NATO role and as an officer of the US military is that there is "a strong bipartisan support for NATO in the United States", and that he believes that this will continue.
How do you see the security situation in the region, considering the arming of Serbia and Croatia, the introduction of mandatory military service in those countries, tensions in Kosovo...?
First, thank you for your question. NATO sees the security situation in the Western Balkans as stable, but as something we must pay attention to, and we will continue to focus on it. So, what you have seen is the continuation of KFOR's presence in Kosovo, recently the command there was changed, the permanent presence of NATO forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of the UN mandate and EU operations, and also the continuation of the activities of NATO forces, not only Montenegrin, but NATO force in North Macedonia - we deployed 200 troops there as part of the Allied Response Force. Firstly, to test and train the Allied response forces, and secondly - to show our determination for forces in this area of the Western Balkans. So, again - I think the situation is stable, but we are very focused on it.
How do you view the messages of some regional politicians and certain Western commentators, to increase the international military presence in the Balkans? Do you think that Montenegro, following the decisions of Croatia and Serbia, should have introduced mandatory military service?
First, I would say that the introduction of mandatory military service is the decision of each country individually. What I think NATO countries have to do is fulfill the commitments they have made at several summits. How they will achieve this is an internal decision of each country. I don't think NATO has a clear position on that issue, except to say that two percent of gross domestic product (GDP) was a commitment, with 30 plus percent of those funds earmarked for armaments. How countries manage it is really up to each of them. But maintaining a strong and capable military is important for any country.
But can you tell us something else about mandatory military service, is it a good thing in the modern army or is it something from the last century?
I cannot say much more than that, except that it is the decision of each country individually, because each country observes mandatory military service in a different way. I think that countries around the world have difficulties in meeting the levels of recruitment and capacity building in the army, if they decide to introduce mandatory military service. Again, this is a decision for each country, which must consider the pros and cons of the issue.
How do you see the situation in the military and security sector in Montenegro, given the frequent accusations of Serbia and Russia's influence on events in the country, as well as media and other influences?
Well, I think that the army of Montenegro is capable. They proved themselves capable in the recent mission to Germany, where they trained with other NATO forces, which was an outstanding and successful endeavor. Montenegro has forces that participate in the KFOR mission in Kosovo, it has forces in the NATO mission in Iraq, it has forces that carry out advanced ground forces missions in Bulgaria and Latvia. Therefore, Montenegro contributes to the security of NATO not only within Montenegro, but throughout Europe. I believe that the Montenegrin army is very capable.
Will NATO remain stable if Donald Trump is re-elected as president of the United States of America? How do you see his stance on support for Ukraine, such as the comment that the Ukrainian president (Volodymyr Zelensky) refuses to reach an agreement to end the war in that country, as well as the statement that he has a plan to end the war?
It's really a political issue. The only thing I can say in my NATO role and as a US military officer is that there is strong bipartisan support for NATO in the United States and I think that will continue.
Do you think that Europe can defend itself without the United States of America?
I think that NATO is committed to the defense of Europe as a whole, with 32 member countries. Deterrence and defense of the North Atlantic region are important to both the United States and Canada, the two countries outside continental Europe, as well as the other 30 NATO member states. So I believe that we will continue to have a strong and capable NATO alliance.
Is the world facing the threat of the third world war, considering the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, tensions between Taiwan and China, etc.?
I can't be Nostradamus and claim to know what will happen in the future. I think the global security situation is worrying. NATO is focused, of course, on the security situation here in Europe, and I think NATO is doing everything it can to keep the situation as stable as possible, and Montenegro plays a big role in that.
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