Defence Minister Roman Jakič discussed cooperation with his Montenegrin counterpart Milica Pejanović Đurišić as he began an official visit to Montenegro on Monday. The country's efforts for EU and NATO membership were broached as well, with Slovenia declaring readiness to help also in the future.
Jakič told the STA that both sides had implemented almost 80% of the projects launched after a defence cooperation agreement was signed in 2007.
Slovenia and Montenegro are cooperating in military training, standardisation, codification, defence inspection, logistics, defence planning and public relations among other things, the minister explained, adding that expanding this to the navy and joint missions abroad had been discussed today.
As regards Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic efforts, Jakič said the country can continue to count on Slovenia's help and support and welcomed the progress in defence reform.
Meanwhile, Jakič also presented the Comprehensive Regional Meeting of Ministers scheduled in Brdo pri Kranju from 1 to 3 October. The meeting will focus on rationalising joint efforts in the Western Balkans and harmonising regional projects and initiatives in defence and security.
He announced the participation of 20 ministers and high representatives of regional and international organisations, including NATO, OSCE and the EU, as well as a meeting of defence ministers belonging to the Adriatic Charter, chaired by Montenegro in the second half of 2013.
Jakič will continue his visit to Montenegro on Tuesday morning, when he is to meet deputy Prime Minister Igor Lukšić, President Filip Vujanović and possibly PM Milo Đukanović.
On Tuesday afternoon he will already start an official visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Source: The Slovenia Times
