Montenegro Takes Key NATO Step

05 November 2008 Brussels – Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic has given the NATO Secretary General the country’s application to join the alliance’s Membership Action Plan.

Djukanovic hopes that NATO can positively respond to this evaluation by spring next year, at latest during the alliance’s summit, which will be held in French-German border twin towns of Strasbourg and Kehl.

“The NATO Secretary General promised that he and his associates will very seriously evaluate our initiative,” Djukanovic said after the meeting.

“He also told us that NATO doesn’t have ‘enlargement fatigue,’” he added.
 
The Membership Action Plan is a NATO programme of advice, assistance and practical support tailored to the individual needs of countries wishing to join the alliance. Once a country applies it is up to alliance’s member states to decide how to respond to the application.
 
Montenegrin officials are hopeful they will have positive response to this application.

According to Djukanovic, this is “a logical initiative of Montenegrin side”, for further integration of the country. 

“The final response depends on the discussions within allies,” Djukanovic stressed.

“There is no doubt that NATO wants new members and it sees Montenegro as its future member.”
 
In September, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro were invited to join a group of countries seeking membership in the NATO alliance.