14 February 2019 - Minister of Defence Predrag Bošković takes part in this year's first meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Defence Ministers in Brussels.
The meeting is addressing key challenges in the field of international security, bearing in mind the need to provide a comprehensive response to such challenges. The meeting also discussed the implementation of the guidelines from the last North Atlantic Council Summit in Brussels, as well as the next steps in fulfilling the critical tasks that are being undertaken to provide continuous improvement of the collective defence system. The defence ministers of the NATO member states stressed the firm commitment and unity of the Alliance in the control of arms, disarmament, and prohibition of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as essential segments that contribute to the preservation of Euro-Atlantic security.
Minister Bošković stressed that Montenegro continues to firmly implement the Alliance's policies since the unity of all allies is an important prerequisite for preserving the security of their citizens and territory from any possible threats. Speaking about NATO's readiness and capability to adapt to the needs of the changed security environment, the Minister commended the progress made so far in the process of NATO's command structure adaptation, which will enable the quick response to all kinds of potential challenges. Bošković stressed that Montenegro supports the efforts of the Alliance in maintaining peace and stability, and reminded that our country sent a reconnaissance division to the Latvia multinational battalion battle group last year as a sign of its contribution to the Enhanced Forward Presence in the East (eFP).
Minister Bošković also met with Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Turkey, General Hulusi Akar.
He thanked General Akar for Turkey's comprehensive support to the reform of the defence system of Montenegro, especially in the field of modernisation of the Armed Forces of Montenegro. Bošković stressed the importance of implementing the Intergovernmental Agreement on the supply of uniform for the needs of the Ministry of Defence of Montenegro for five years, according to which the camouflage uniforms of the members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro were renewed last year. The Minister announced the continuation of the project in this year too. Bošković and Akar discussed the possibilities of restoring the capacity of the Montenegrin Navy, as well as the education of Montenegrin staff in Turkey. Both sides agreed that the Euro-Atlantic perspective of the Western Balkans is crucial for establishing long-term peace in this part of Europe.
