NATO Secretary General with the President of Montenegro 🇲🇪 Jakov Milatović, 22 JUN 2023

Joint press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, 22 June 2023.

🗣 | NATO Secretary General:

President Milatović,
Dear Jakov,

Welcome to NATO Headquarters. It is great to see you.

This is your second visit to NATO, and it demonstrates your strong personal commitment to NATO, to our Transatlantic Alliance.

It also demonstrates Montenegro's strong commitment to NATO.

Montenegro is a valued Ally, making many contributions to our shared security.

This includes troops in our multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria and in Latvia, helping to deter aggression.

It also includes your support to Ukraine,
helping to uphold its right for self-defence.

And it includes Montenegrin troops in NATO Mission Iraq,
helping to build more effective and inclusive security forces and institutions.

Montenegro also plays a key role in the Western Balkans, where you promote stability and peace.
Your provide troops to KFOR, our peace-keeping mission in Kosovo.

This is even more important now, at times of heightened tensions.

NATO’s commitment to KFOR and our United Nations mandate is unwavering.
KFOR will continue to act impartially.
We have increased our presence, and will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo.

We call on all parties to de-escalate and return immediately to the EU-facilitated dialogue.

This is key for lasting security in Kosovo and stability in the region.

Let me also welcome Montenegro's efforts to further increase defence spending.

This is important because it will keep our Alliance strong.
It is also part of Montenegro's progress on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration and reforms.

Montenegro's NATO membership is good for Montenegro, good for the region, and good for the whole Alliance.

Greek and Italian jets help to police your skies.
Your forces exercise alongside 30 other Allies.
And Montenegro is stronger and safer as part of the most successful Alliance in history.

During our meeting, we also discussed preparations for our NATO Summit in Vilnius, where we will take decisions to further bolster our deterrence and defence.
Step up support for Ukraine for the long haul.
And invest more in our security.

I know we can count on Montenegro to help make our Summit a success.

So mister President, I look forward to our cooperation and look forward to welcome you in Vilnius.

Please, you have the floor.
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