The Security and Defence Committee today has met with a delegation of the NATO Defense College from Rome, headed by its Dean, Brigadier General František Mičánek.
The focus of the conversation between the members of the Security and Defence Committee and the 60 members of the delegation of the NATO Defense College were the future priorities of Montenegro as a member of the Alliance as well as the current political situation in the country.
In his introductory speech, Chairperson of the Security and Defence Committee Mr Obrad Mišo Stanišić has informed the members of the NATO Defense College on the responsibilities of the working body which he chairs and its role in the process of control of the security sector. Speaking of Montenegro’s membership in NATO, which he called a strategic goal of the country since its renewal of independence, he voiced gratitude for the help that the NATO member states had given to Montenegro on its path to accession, as well as for the speedy ratification of the Accession Protocol by parliaments of all, until then, 28 member states.
“Montenegro’s membership in NATO will additionally strengthen the stability of the region, and thus the entire Europe. In the political sense, Montenegro’s progress clearly shows that the door of the Alliance are open to the aspiring countries, for which Montenegro would strongly advocate, now as a full member as well”, said Mr Stanišić in his address.
The members of the NATO Defense College were interested in Montenegro’s priorities as a new member of the Alliance. Answering a question, the Chairperson of the Security and Defence Committee said that Montenegro would be a credible and reliable partner to NATO, and, as he emphasised, with its active engagement in the region and other areas, it would be contributing to the strengthening of regional security along with its partners. Commenting on the fact that Montenegro had chosen the NATO membership before the EU membership, the Chairperson of the Security and Defence Committee said that NATO integration was inseparable from the EU integration “considering that they are based on the same principles, we will devotedly continue with the comprehensive reforms and harmonisation of our system with the European one. That is a process of the overall, historically and civilisation-wise far-reaching transformation which should ensure stability and prosperity for the citizens of Montenegro and the future generations”, explained Mr Stanišić.
Upon the interest by the NATO Defense College’s representatives with regard to the issue of allocation of money for NATO from the budget of Montenegro, Mr Stanišić reminded that it was planned in the 2017 budget to have the Alliance membership allocation amounting to 1,66% of the GDP, and he added that he was convinced that by 2024 Montenegro would reach the allocation target required by the NATO member states which is 2%.
The subject of interest of today’s conversation were also our country’s foreign policy guidelines and its relations with its neighbours, as well as the current political situation in the country.
The mission of the NATO Defense College is to contribute to the effectiveness and cohesion of the Alliance via its role as a centre of education and research on transatlantic security issues.
