Podgorica, (MINA) – The Western Balkans countries’ membership in the European Union (EU) is an investment in the stability and security of Europe and the prosperity of the region, defense ministers of Montenegro and Greece, Dragan Krapovic and Nikos Dendias announced during a joint press conference.

 

Dendias, who is visiting Montenegro, said that Greece is a strong supporter of Montenegro’s European path.

 

He said they were very happy that additional negotiating chapters were closed in June.

 

 

“We will be glad to see Montenegro joining the EU at the earliest possible time”, said Dendias.

 

As he stated, through the Thessaloniki agenda, Greece advocates for the Balkans, and especially for the Western Balkans’ membership in the EU.

 

“We believe that it is an investment not only in prosperity, but also in stability and security, and Europe cannot be stable and secure up to the point that the Western Balkans are not part of it”, said Dendias.

 

According to him, the EU cannot allow holes in the European architecture, so Greece unreservedly supports the prospect of Montenegro becoming an EU member.

 

He assessed that security within Europe is a common endeavor.

 

“And there are challenges coming from states, but also challenges coming from different malign actors. So, unless we cooperate, societies and our states cannot be safe”, warned Dendias.

 

 

Krapovic said that he and Minister Dendias had an open, friendly meeting, discussing the strengthening of defense cooperation.

 

“Montenegro will remain strongly committed to collective security, through the presence of the Montenegrin Army troops in international missions and operations, and through the modernization and equipping of national defense capacities, and there we certainly found a common language and a significant space to improve cooperation”, said Krapovic.

 

He thanked Greece and Dendias for the education Montenegrin armed forces’ members receive at Greek military academies.