- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

US Prepared to Invite Montenegro in NATO in December - White House

© AP Photo / Risto BozovicNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaks and gestures after talks with Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, in Podgorica, Montenegro, Thursday, June 11, 2015
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaks and gestures after talks with Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, in Podgorica, Montenegro, Thursday, June 11, 2015 - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The White House stated on Monday that the United States may extend Montenegro an invitation to join NATO in December contingent upon the country continuing reforms and working to increase popular support for membership in the Alliance.

NATO Soldiers walk under country member flags at a NATO base at Kabul International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan - Sputnik International
Early Montenegro NATO Membership 'Reaffirms Alliance's Activity in Europe'
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States may extend Montenegro an invitation to join NATO in December contingent upon the country continuing reforms and working to increase popular support for membership in the Alliance, the White House announced in a statement on Monday following a telephone talk between US Vice President Joe Biden with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic.

"The Vice President told the Prime Minister the United States supports Montenegro’s membership in NATO provided that Montenegro continues pursuing reforms and boosts popular support for NATO accession," the statement read.

Biden told Djukanovic that "contingent upon further progress" of those areas, Washington would be prepared to extend a membership invitation to Montenegro during the December meeting of NATO foreign ministers, according to the White House.

"The Vice President and Prime Minister agreed that Montenegro’s membership in NATO would firmly anchor Montenegro in Euro-Atlantic institutions, promote greater regional stability in the Balkans and demonstrate the credibility of NATO’s Open Door policy," the statement noted.

Biden commended Djukanovic for Montenegro’s efforts to advance in the areas of defense, intelligence and the rule of law reforms, and urged him to make progress in fighting corruption and organized crime.

Russia has expressed concern over NATO’s growing military presence in Eastern Europe, warning that it could be a threat to regional security.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала