Grabar-Kitarovic said she believes Montenegro is ready for NATO membership, adding the greatest strength of the European project, in terms of security, lies with the attractiveness of this membership.
“We hope Bosnia will become member of MAP, and that Serbia will open the first chapters in EU negotiations. Also, we hope Macedonia will solve problems with their neighbors, and that Kosovo will sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement. We hope Montenegro will continue to march on the path towards EU and NATO”, said Grabar Kitarovic.
Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic noted everyone’s assessment is that Montenegro has already met required military standards and that NATO’s invitation is now a purely political decisions.
“The call to Montenegro will contribute to regional stability. Montenegro will become a needed NATO member”, Montenegrin President said, stressing the entire country is working hard to educate its people about the main advantages of NATO membership.
President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Ranko Krivokapic, said he expects Montenegro to become the 29th member of the EU and NATO.
“In this time of uncertainty, NATO is a guarantee of security for Montenegro. NATO has brought peace to the Balkans. Montenegro is small in numbers but great in power of life. We want to become partner through achievements. Two chairs with the number 29 are waiting for Montenegro: one is in the EU, and the other in NATO”, said Krivokapic.
Foreign Minister of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, began his presentation at the Forum 2BS arguing that he is in a difficult situation, because he cannot “praise NATO as much as his predecessors”.
He stressed the importance of creating a positive atmosphere among the countries of the region, so that others see they are not connected trough past wars only. Dacic spoke of terrorism, wondering how NATO tells difference between them and the freedom fighters.
“ISIL was established in 2005, but we are fighting them only now”, he said stressing that he respects Montenegro for trying to become NATO member, but adding that Serbia “does not have to praise the Alliance”.
“Serbia wants to be neutral, but is also ready to cooperate with NATO in other ways”, Dacic said before turning his attention to Macedonia which, he evaluated, has no future in Europe.
Dacic spoke about Serbia’s relations with the Alliance through a humorous tone, saying that he hopes “NATO will from now on fly into Serbia through regular airlines”.
