Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro’s NATO membership significantly contributes to strengthening of the rule of law and the independence of the institutions, said President Jakov Milatovic, adding that, in the light of growing security challenges, the NATO influence is more important than ever.

According to the press release from his cabinet, Milatovic said this during his visit to the USA, during which, as the youngest head of state of a NATO member country, he opened the NATO Youth Summit in Miami.

“As the youngest president of a NATO member country, I am proud that I am representing a new generation of politicians on the Western Balkans and Montenegro, the country that has taken important steps in democratic maturity”, Milatovic emphasized.

According to him, in the light of growing security challenges, NATO influence is more important than ever before.

Milatovic underscored that NATO’s importance is not only reflected on the global security, but also in its response to hybrid threats and misinformation.

“Strengthening the credibility of Montenegro’s NATO membership is one of the key priorities, and it ranks at the top of my agenda. Montenegro’s NATO membership has contributed to strengthening of our geopolitical position, as well as the advancement of democratization, the rule of law, and establishment of independent institution”, Milatovic stated.

He adds that the support of the member states is important for achieving other foreign policy priorities, among which, as he said, the most important is Montenegro’s imminent EU accession.