Rute: There are actors trying to pull the Western Balkans back; Spajić: The most difficult enemy is internal

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Montenegro promotes peace and stability throughout the Western Balkans, which is of great strategic importance for NATO.

At a press conference at the "Gorica" ​​villa after a meeting with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, he said that there are actors who are trying to pull the Western Balkans back, disrupt progress and destabilize the region, but that NATO is committed to ensuring that all problems from the past remain there.

"We will point out any malicious activity on NATO territory and oppose it," said Rute.

He pointed out that Russia is continuing its war of aggression against Ukraine, that China is becoming increasingly assertive in its approach, and that the southern neighborhood is unstable.

"NATO allies must invest more in equipment, increase defense industry production, and strengthen support for Ukraine," Rute said.

He welcomed the fact that Montenegro is already investing more than two percent of its GDP in defense:

"I'm counting on you to keep up that momentum."

He stressed that he was grateful for Montenegro's support for Ukraine, including military equipment and contributions to a comprehensive aid package.

Rute pointed out that nine years have passed since Montenegro joined the Alliance and that it has been a valued member of the transatlantic family ever since:

"Montenegro has 31 friends and allies by its side, ensuring that this country is safe and secure. For example, Greek and Italian aircraft continue to protect your airspace," he said.

Rute pointed out that Montenegro is also an exporter of security, deploying troops to NATO's forward-deployed land forces in Latvia and Bulgaria, helping to deter and defend against any aggression.

He pointed out that Montenegro contributes to the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR).

Rutte, responding to a journalist's question about the future of the Alliance in the context of what US President Donald Trump is saying, said he was encouraged when it comes to the future of NATO.

He pointed out that they collectively decided to move to a five percent allocation, including 3.5 percent for core funding.

"These are things that President Trump has advocated for for many years. In his second term, he has continued to make efforts in this direction. It is important for us not only to respond to America's demands, but also to be able to invest as much as possible in our own defense and to act against malignant forces that could attack us," said Rutte.

He stressed that huge sums must be invested in defense, stating that NATO is "extremely strong at the moment."

Spajić: Trust in the Army at a historic high

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said that the capacities of the Montenegrin army have been significantly strengthened in recent years. He pointed out that trust in the army is at a historic high of 78 percent, as shown by the Eurobarometer.

"Those numbers have been well below 50 percent for years. Now we have the trust of all ethnic, religious and identity groups...That's a big deal and something we have to be proud of, because the most difficult enemy is the internal enemy," Spajić said.

The Prime Minister said that investments in the Army are just beginning, stating that "some positive things" should happen in the future. He said that they will have an intergovernmental agreement with the US in June, when they hope to be able to work on infrastructure for both civilian and military use.

"We will also have investments, together with Canadians, Germans and other nations."

He said that Montenegro is the Western Balkans in miniature, although without an ethnic majority, but that this is not a weakness but a strength.

"We are trying to be a constructive factor, which will be a connecting factor," said Spajić.

Responding to questions from journalists, the Prime Minister said that an ad hoc Working Group has begun work on drafting the Treaty on the Membership of Montenegro in the European Union.

"It won't be easy. We are up to the task and look forward to all the steps remaining until our full membership," said Spajić.

The meeting between the Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was attended by Deputy Prime Ministers Aleksa Bečić and Ervin Ibrahimović, Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović, and the Head of the Permanent Mission of Montenegro to NATO, Ambassador Milena Kalezić.