NATO Seeks Higher Montenegro Public Support for Membership

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Macedonian Prime Minister Milo Đjukanović, June 11, 2015NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in Podgorica that Montenegro’s membership bid is in “the crucial phase” and that it will be discussed at NATO’s ministerial meeting scheduled for December.

“We count on Montenegro to continue to strengthen the rule of law and we encourage you to further build public support for membership,” Stoltenberg said after meeting Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic whose long-standing government has often been accused of corruption and mismanagement.

“It is important that Montenegro does what needs to be done and that it demonstrates that it is ready to become a valuable member of the Alliance,” Stoltenberg said. “Joining the Euro-Atlantic family is a win-win for Montenegro and for NATO.”

NATO Security & Defense The Balkans

Image: Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Macedonian Prime Minister Milo Đjukanović, June 11, 2015 (photo: NATO)