Podgorica, (MINA) - The visit of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to Podgorica on Tuesday represents an additional boost and a very strong political message to Montenegro as a credible member of the Alliance, said Defense Minister Dragan Krapovic.

He said this at the press conference of Democratic Montenegro, while answering journalists’ questions.

Krapovic said that, apart from him, Rutte will meet with President Jakov Milatovic, Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Becic and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimovic.

He added that during the visit, Rutte will deliver a lecture at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Montenegro, and also visit the Western Balkans Regional Cyber ​​Capacities Center.

Krapovic said that this is a regular visit, during which they will discuss the Alliance’s main task – defense and deterrence, as well as the upcoming summit in Ankara.

“I believe that this is an additional boost and a very good political message from the top of the Alliance to Montenegro, as a credible member of NATO”, said Krapovic.

Democrats MP Momcilo Lekovic, asked how the party views the announcement by Democratic People’s Party leader Milan Knezevic about submitting a declaration to the Montenegrin parliament seeking the annulment of the decision to recognize Kosovo, said that this issue is within the competence of the Government.

“It is not a matter for the Parliament, so I would not comment further”, said Lekovic, adding that it is the Government that decides on foreign and domestic affairs.