At the joint press conference with Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Mr Zdravko Krivokapić, NATO Secretary General, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, told that Montenegro has been promoting stability in the WB, thanking Montenegro for its strong commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration.
“I welcome that Montenegro is increasing defense spending. I commend Montenegro for promoting stability in the region,” Mr Stoltenberg told the press today.
He met with PM Krivokapić in NATO headquarters in Brussels and told he was looking forward to working with him, noting that he expected the Prime Minister to attend the NATO Summit next year.
PM Krivokapić thanked NATO Alliance for solidarity in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
He also added that Montenegro was going to undertake all obligations arising from NATO membership, both in terms of finances and missions.
“In my inaugural speech, which I presented in the Parliament of Montenegro I let everybody know that we will be strengthening good relations with everybody, including Russia. That part referred only to necessary economic activities and tourism, because the largest influx of tourists to Montenegro comes from Russia. When it comes to getting into conflict with any policy of the Alliance, of course, we will comply with the policy of the Alliance,” PM Krivokapić was adamant.
Asked whether he [Stoltenberg] received a confirmation from the prime minister that Montenegro will remain committed to obligations stemming from membership, especially having in mind that his close coworkers and also members of his cabinet were a big opponents of NATO membership, which was demonstrated by burning the NATO flag, Mr Stoltenberg said Montenegro’s PM had assured him of his commitment to NATO.
PM Krivokapić responded: “I regret for any burning of the flag that took place in Montenegro. NATO’s as well. I was a professor at the time and wasn’t following the news.”
