Joint press conference

President Milatović,
Dear Jakov,

Welcome to NATO Headquarters. It is great to see you.

This is your second visit to NATO, and it demonstrates your strong personal commitment to NATO, to our Transatlantic Alliance.

It also demonstrates Montenegro's strong commitment to NATO.

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

This includes troops in our multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria and in Latvia, helping to deter aggression.

It also includes your support to Ukraine,
helping to uphold its right for self-defence.

And it includes Montenegrin troops in NATO Mission Iraq,
helping to build more effective and inclusive security forces and institutions.

Montenegro also plays a key role in the Western Balkans, where you promote stability and peace.
Your provide troops to KFOR, our peace-keeping mission in Kosovo.

This is even more important now, at times of heightened tensions.

NATO’s commitment to KFOR and our United Nations mandate is unwavering.
KFOR will continue to act impartially.
We have increased our presence, and will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo.

We call on all parties to de-escalate and return immediately to the EU-facilitated dialogue.

This is key for lasting security in Kosovo and stability in the region.

Let me also welcome Montenegro's efforts to further increase defence spending.

This is important because it will keep our Alliance strong.
It is also part of Montenegro's progress on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration and reforms.

Montenegro's NATO membership is good for Montenegro, good for the region, and good for the whole Alliance.

Greek and Italian jets help to police your skies.
Your forces exercise alongside 30 other Allies.
And Montenegro is stronger and safer as part of the most successful Alliance in history.

During our meeting, we also discussed preparations for our NATO Summit in Vilnius, where we will take decisions to further bolster our deterrence and defence.
Step up support for Ukraine for the long haul.
And invest more in our security.

I know we can count on Montenegro to help make our Summit a success.

So mister President, I look forward to our cooperation and look forward to welcome you in Vilnius.

Please, you have the floor.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu:
Okay, we'll start with Radio Television of Montenegro.

Ivan Mijanovic (Radio Television of Montenegro, RTCG):
Thank you very much. Ivan Mijanovic from the Radio Television of Montenegro. For Mr. Secretary General: Montenegro is in the process of creating new government. What government do you expect to be formed in Montenegro and for Mr. Milosevic a similar question: do you expect that the new government will have enough support in the parliament in order to continue to be a credible NATO Ally and to continue EU-related reforms. Thank you very much.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg:
I think it's extremely important that it is the democratically elected institutions, the Parliament of Montenegro that decides what kind of government Montenegro will have, not NATO. So this is really for the democratic institutions of Montenegro to decide. What I can say is that I'm absolutely confident that also a new government, in Podgorica, in Montenegro, will be committed to uphold our shared values and to continue to be, to ensure that Montenegro will continue to be a committed NATO Ally.

Jakov Milatović, President of Montenegro:
Thank you for the question. I mean, my personal expectation as the President, as well as the expectation of the people of Montenegro, who just voted in the parliamentary elections, is that the country will get truly pro-European and pro-reform oriented government, which will, you know, provide even more strength to the foreign policy goals of Montenegro, which are quite clear. This is credibility of our NATO membership, speedier EU accession and good neighborly relations with other countries of the Western Balkans.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu:
Associated Press.

Mark Carlson, Associated Press:
Thank you. My question is for both of you. The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo are in Brussels today at the EU to have talks. How important is it that they make progress on finding a solution to the current tensions?

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg:
It is important that the tensions in Kosovo are reduced and that is a task and responsibility for both parties  and therefore NATO welcomes the efforts within the framework of the  EU-facilitated dialogue to reduce tensions. I think what is the situation in Kosovo and also the presence of NATO demonstrates how NATO and the European Union works closely together in finding a path forward to reduce tensions and to find a peaceful solution, because NATO has the presence of Peacekeepers in Kosovo in the KFOR force. We declared UN mandate and of course we remain loyal to the UN mandate. We have also increased our presence over KFOR troops in Kosovo as a reflection of the heightened tensions we have seen over the last weeks. What NATO does in Kosovo is impartial, based on the UN mandate, and our presence there is to ensure the free movement of all communities. And also then to help and support the diplomatic efforts of the European Union. So we call on both parties to engage in good faith in the dialogue and to refrain from unilateral actions that can further escalate the situation in Kosovo.

Jakov Milatović, President of Montenegro:
Well on the issues that are currently happening in Kosovo, we, as Montenegro, are fully committed to the dialogue and with the support of the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, we are calling for the de-escalation of the tensions, and I'm very happy to see that the leaders of Serbia and of Kosovo are today meeting in Brussels under the umbrella of the EU dialogue, and we are strongly supporting it. I think that the stability and prosperity of our region is important, you know, also obviously, for Montenegro, and, you know, we are hoping to, you know, to be able to get there. So, Montenegro has shown to be a place, you know, we are, which is committed to the dialogue. And I think this is what should happen also between Kosovo and Serbia. So, we are calling for the de-escalation of the tensions and return to the dialogue, which is being performed, as the Secretary General said, in good faith. I think that's particularly important: to have the dialogue in good faith and to really aim to sort out the issues and the tensions so that the whole region can you know, go back to the, to the stability and prosperity.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu:
Many thanks. This concludes this Press Conference.