Remarks

Prime Minister Krivokapić,
Welcome to NATO Headquarters. It’s great to see you here.

And congratulations on your recent appointment as the Prime Minister of Montenegro.

I want to thank you for your strong commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration and reforms.  

Montenegro is a valued Ally, making important contributions to our shared security.

You provide financial support to the Afghan Security Forces.

You also contribute to NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
Building stability in the Western Balkans.

And I welcome that Montenegro is increasing defence spending.

All these contributions keep NATO strong.

Prime Minister, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge us all.

But Montenegro does not stand alone. 

NATO’s disaster relief centre has coordinated assistance to Montenegro.
And Allies have delivered essential medical supplies.  

Just last month, Montenegro received assistance from NATO’s new medical stockpile.

This included 20 ventilators.
And additional supplies worth 500,000 euros are on their way to Montenegro.

This is NATO solidarity in action.

At the same time, the security challenges we faced before the pandemic have not gone away.

So NATO’s air policing mission continues, to ensure the safety of your skies.
With jets from Italy and from Greece.

Today, we addressed security in the Western Balkans. Including how NATO’s open door policy contributes to security in the region.

I commend Montenegro for promoting stability in the region.

NATO remains committed to the Western Balkans.
And it is key for the stability of Europe.

We also discussed NATO 2030 and our efforts to make this Alliance even stronger.

We must ensure that we remain strong militarily, become stronger politically, and take a more global approach to the challenges we face.

So Prime Minister, thank you once again.

I look forward to working with you and to welcoming you at the NATO Summit here in Brussels next year.