Overview

Slovenia and Croatia Pushing for Montenegro's NATO Membership

POLITICS, / By STA, T. M.

Outgoing Defence Minister Roman Jakič said after NATO's two-day meeting in Brussels on Wednesday he was optimistic about Montenegro getting a positive message at the September summit about membership in the alliance. He explained Slovenia and Croatia have addressed a letter on the subject to the NATO secretary general.



File photo The 29 May letter to Anders Fogh Rasmussen was signed by the Slovenian and Croatian foreign and defence ministers. The two countries stressed the exceptional importance of NATO's open doors policy and of an invitation to Montenegro, also in light of the Ukrainian-Russian crisis. This would be a new step towards the joint goal of achieving a whole, free and peaceful Europe. Other strategic aspects also need to be considered and an invitation would be a clear message that the alliance is more vital and important than ever before, the letter further states. Jakić, who also highlighted these views at Tuesday's debate on the strategic consequences of the Ukrainian-Russian crisis, is optimistic that Montenegro will get a positive message in Wales. He expects Montenegro will get in Wales some form of an invitation with certain conditions, highlighting that the country urgently needs a serious signal that it is welcome in NATO.

Tags: Slovenia, croatia, NATO, Montenegro membership, Ukraine crisis