BELGRADE (Sputnik) — The ratification of the protocol signed in May 2016 by all NATO member nations was the necessary requirement for Montenegro's joining of the alliance.
🇲🇪 #NATO Accession Protocol has been ratified! Thanks to all allies and partners: 🇦🇱🇧🇪🇧🇬🇨🇦🇭🇷🇨🇿🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇷🇩🇪🇬🇷🇭🇺🇮🇸🇮🇹🇱🇻🇱🇹🇱🇺🇳🇱🇳🇴🇵🇱🇵🇹🇷🇴🇸🇰🇸🇮🇪🇸🇹🇷🇬🇧🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/RZGzPnUNJ8
— Govt. of Montenegro (@MeGovernment) 11 мая 2017 г.
Prime Minister Dusko Markovic said Friday that the formal joining of NATO, which could take place at the next summit of the military alliance in May, would add to the stability and economic benefit of the country and to the Balkans at large, including an increased influx of foreign investments to Montenegro.
On April 25, US President Donald Trump signed the protocol on Montenegro’s accession to NATO, which was the final step in ratifying the document.
Russia has repeatedly expressed concerns over the further expansion of NATO into the east. Last month, the Russian Foreign Ministry criticized the political course of Montenegro that sees them joining the alliance without holding a nationwide referendum.
