Stoltenberg: Montenegro Committed to NATO Values

Jens Stoltenberg (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV/DS)

NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg stated on June 22 that the second visit of Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic to the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels demonstrated his personal dedication to the trans-Atlantic community, as well as Montenegro’s commitment to the alliance’s values.

After the meeting with Milatovic, Stoltenberg said the decision on forming the new Montenegrin government was “up to the democratic institutions,” adding that he was convinced the authorities in Montenegro would “remain committed to the common values” of NATO partnership and make sure that Podgorica is a “committed ally” of NATO.

He stated that Montenegro gave “a great contribution to the common security” and, in that context, mentioned the participation of Montenegrin troops in multinational battle groups in Bulgaria and Latvia, its support to Ukraine, contribution to the NATO mission in Iraq and engagement in the KFOR mission in Kosovo.

“That is even more important now, in times of elevated tensions. NATO’s commitment to KFOR and the mandate given by the United Nations is unwavering. KFOR will continue to act without bias,” Stoltenberg stated, recollecting that NATO recently increased its presence in Kosovo. He added that the alliance would continue to take “all the necessary measures to ensure a safe environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo.”