Palmer: Montenegro's contribution to NATO has strengthened security in the Western Balkans

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Montenegro's contributions to NATO have strengthened regional and global security, assessed US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Palmer on the occasion of the third anniversary of Montenegro's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance.

“The United States and Montenegro have long been friends and partners, and on June 5, we celebrate our third anniversary as allies,” Palmer said in a statement to Voice of America, reports the Montenegrin agency MINA.

He emphasized that the United States welcomes Montenegrin soldiers serving “shoulder to shoulder” with American forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Europe.

“We recognize Montenegro's contributions to NATO operations, as well as its commitment to meet the Wales defense spending targets by 2024. We also appreciate Montenegro's readiness to confront 21st-century threats and its partnership in combating cyber and hybrid threats,” Palmer said.

Palmer concluded that Montenegro, the United States, and the entire Western Balkan region benefit from the “strong and close cooperation” between the two countries.

Montenegro formally became the 29th member of the NATO alliance on June 5, 2017, by submitting ratification documents at a ceremony at the State Department.