Spajić, Rutte: Montenegro plays a key role in the Balkans and effectively counters hybrid threats

Prime Minister meets with NATO Secretary General

Montenegro is a credible and reliable NATO member and will further strengthen its presence in the Alliance through the imminent appointment of its ambassador to NATO, it was stated following the meeting between Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

During his official visit to Brussels, where the Intergovernmental Conference between Montenegro and the European Union will be held later today, Prime Minister Spajić emphasized Montenegro's historic progress on its European integration path.

This makes us an even more credible and reliable NATO member. Montenegro is not just declaratively a credible NATO partner - in 2024, we allocate over 2.0% of GDP for defence. Our contributions to missions in Latvia, Bulgaria, and Kosovo demonstrate that, although small, Montenegro actively strengthens collective defence, said Prime Minister Spajić.

He announced that the Government will propose a career diplomat for the position of Montenegro's ambassador to NATO by the end of the year.

The Prime Minister also reiterated Montenegro's support for Ukraine through various aid packages and programmes, stressing the importance of NATO's open-door policy for Ukraine and its value both for the country and the Alliance.

As a candidate country for EU membership, we fully and continuously align our foreign policy with the EU. At the bilateral level, we are finalizing an agreement on long-term security cooperation with Ukraine, said Prime Minister Spajić.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Montenegro's efforts within the Alliance, both in terms of its contributions to the Western Balkans and its support for Ukraine.

Montenegro has been a valued NATO member for seven years. You enhance our military presence in Latvia and Bulgaria, and you support NATO's peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo. Additionally, you contribute to ensuring more inclusive and effective security in Iraq, Rutte noted.

He emphasized that Montenegro is an ally that respects NATO's standards and allocates the prescribed defence expenditures.

We discussed many issues. We are worried about the situation Ukraine and I am grateful for Montenegro's support, including military equipment. We also addressed Russia's hostile activities within NATO territory. We have seen numerous cyberattacks, disinformation, political interference, and acts of sabotage targeting NATO allies. Montenegro remains under constant hybrid threat from Russia and other actors, Rutte stated.

He underscored that Russia aims to instill fear and undermine NATO's support for Ukraine.

That will not happen. We are strengthening our resilience, and Montenegro has taken strong measures to counter hybrid threats, said Rutte.

Prime Minister Spajić affirmed that Montenegro views its NATO membership not only as a security guarantee but also as an opportunity to contribute to global peace and stability.

The Prime Minister highlighted Montenegro's achievements in establishing a cybersecurity agency and the regional WB3C centre, making the country an example of how smaller states can effectively combat hybrid and cyber threats, which are a contemporary reality.

The meeting underscored that the Western Balkans is not only of historical significance but also a region of geostrategic importance for Europe. NATO and the EU provide the region with a unique opportunity for lasting stability.

As a candidate country for EU membership, we fully and continuously align our foreign policy with the EU. At the bilateral level, we are finalizing an agreement on long-term security cooperation with Ukraine, Prime Minister Spajić reiterated.

The Prime Minister invited Secretary General Rutte to visit Montenegro and the broader region, emphasizing that every visit by high-ranking NATO officials enhances trust in the Alliance.

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