Numerous questions about NATO integration have been answered during the REACT camp, which brought together numerous participants and lecturers. In addition, a clear message on Montenegro’s readiness for receiving invitation to join the Alliance has been sent.
“All participants of the camp, regardless of whether they are participants or the distinguished representatives of the NATO member states, NATO itself or diplomatic countries, have concluded that Montenegro is ready to accept the invitation that is to be sent from Brussels by the end of December,” the director of the “Alfa Centar”, which is the organiser of the REACT, Aleksandar Dedovic, said.
According to Mr Dedovic, they exchanged experiences with representatives of countries that have become members of NATO during this period, and the cases of Bulgaria, Romania, Albania and Croatia were particularly discussed.
“The conclusion is that no country can be so well developed and have too high level in terms of the rule of law, or too high degree of achieved results in the fight against corruption and crime. Those issues are present in all NATO member states and in those countries aspiring to become members – so it is the case in Montenegro too. However, a common conclusion is that Montenegro has deserved the invitation”, Mr Dedovic said.
He stressed that after receiving the invitation, a difficult and responsible period was coming during which Montenegro had not only to justify receiving the invitation, but also to strengthen the institutions.
“It is necessary to take advantage of mechanisms allowed on the NATO path. It is also important for Montenegro to become a stronger country with stronger institutions and more professional officers in the state administration on its way to the North Atlantic Alliance, which will certainly affect the civil and the private sectors,” Mr Dedovic stressed.
Security as the main benefit that a state receives from NATO membership was one of the main topics during the REACT.
According to Mr Dedovic, the Alliance members certainly gain security, which is a guarantee for peace, and then also for stability.
“Certainly, one of the conclusions was that everything depended on a country that aspired and became a NATO member state, since the Alliance represented a political mechanism allowing security framework within which each country itself and in partnership with other countries was developing mechanisms in the economy, politics, health, education, science, culture and sport”, Mr Dedovic concluded.
