Minister of foreign affairs Milan Roćen and Defense minister Boro Vučinić met today with Jaap de Hoop Sheaffer, General Secretary of NATO, who at the end of his mandate visited Montenegro.

Sheaffer said Montenegro made a significant progress in the process of NATO integrations, as well as in the overall reforms. He pointed out the importance of Montenegro’s role as a regional stability factor and said the policy of the Montenegrin Government contributed to strengthening stability in the Region. He reiterated that NATO would remain committed to its open door policy for all the countries of the Western Balkans and confirmed that further pace of accession would depend on individual performances of applicants.

Ministers Roćen and Vučinić expressed gratitude for NATO’s continuous support in the process of Euro-Atlantic integrations and satisfaction with the existing intensive cooperation within the Partnership for Peace, and thanked Sheaffer for his personal contribution to the promotion of Euro-Atlantic policy in the Region. They reiterated the Government’s strong commitment to this strategic foreign policy goal, in cooperation with its neighbors, Allies and other partners. They underlined readiness of our country to contribute on a global level, in accordance with its possibilities.

Both sides expressed confidence that Montenegro would continue to fulfill its obligations and would soon be invited to join NATO’s Membership Action Plan.

Current regional developments were also discussed at the meeting.