Ms Pejovic added that the process of NATO integration was smartly used in Serbia for the process of European integration, as well as for the reform of its Armed Forces, so, as she stressed, the dilemma of opponents of NATO in the Parliament of Montenegro was not clear to her, “Radio Jadran” carried.
“Another misconception is that NATO and environmental protection must be mutually opposed, because a healthy environment and security are key values, that are priceless for our country,” Ms Pejovic said.
According to her, the most important argument for joining NATO is collective security.
The President of the Municipality of Herceg Novi, Natasa Acimovic, told that the town would always opt for a successful strategy. Therefore it will support Montenegro’s membership in NATO, she said.
A film director Branko Baletic welcomed the civic idea which was being created in Herceg Novi after many years of stagnation.
“Only civil Montenegro represents a safe future, and a new beginning with NATO membership,” he said.
The local Councillor for the Association of Citizens “Izbor” (Choice), Dusan Radovic Kruso, presented his realistic and practical arguments why he supported NATO.
As he said, from the emotional point of view, he still could not stand the Alliance, “but people need peace and stability that can be only brought by NATO and not Russia, regardless of our love towards Russia”.
“Russia is far from us, and the system is much better in the Western world than in Russia,” Mr Radovic said “from the perspective of a man whose family lives in Rome”.
The Deputy Head of Romanian Mission to Montenegro, Mihai Stefan, also spoke at the panel. He said that Romania had €5.3 billion in foreign investments in 2004 when joined NATO, and five years later it amounted to €9.5 billion.
The commander of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Zivko Rakocevic, also presented participation and benefits of peacekeeping missions for Montenegro.
The panel was moderated by the Director of NGO Alfa Centar, Aleksandar Dedovic.
