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Montenegro to become NATO member by 2016: PM

Xinhua, December 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic said on Wednesday that he expects the country to become a member of NATO at the following summit in Warsaw in July 2016, according to his speech published by the prime minister's office.

Celebrating the invitation that Montenegro received on Wednesday at the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, Djukanovic said at a cocktail in Podgorica, capital of Montenegro, that it is a historic day for the country and an act that will also give a contribution to regional stability and security.

"I am sure that by acting responsibly towards reforms in our EU accession negotiations and further strengthening of the rule of law and raising the public support towards the NATO accession we would be able to secure Montenegro an observer seat in the Alliance at the following summit of NATO in Warsaw," Djukanovic said, reminding that the country made the first step towards the membership in NATO nine years ago when it entered Partnership for Peace (PfP).

Explaining NATO's invitation as a great achievement of all Montenegro's citizens, he said there is more road lies ahead to the full membership but stressed the country is able to cross it fast and with quality, by fulfilling their responsibilities.

"Membership of our country in NATO will be a strong contribution to the regional stability and security," Djukanovic said.

He estimated NATO invitation to Montenegro is the most important political event since the referendum in 2006 which marked the beginning of the country's independence. Endit