Szijjarto: Montenegro deserves NATO membership

Brussels, December 2 (MTI) – Montenegro’s invitation to become a member of NATO is “historic”, and Hungary did much to contribute to the process which has led to accession talks, Hungary’s foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Attending the second day of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, Peter Szijjarto said Montenegro deserved its invitation, which is in the interest of Hungary and the alliance as a whole. It recognises the country’s achievements of the past years and its participation in NATO actions, he added.

Szijjarto noted he had given the opening address at Wednesday’s meeting and this invitation was in recognition of the efforts by the Hungarian embassy in Podgorica towards promoting Montenegro’s accession.

Hungary is fully convinced that Montenegro stands ready to become a full-fledged member of NATO, Szijjarto told the meeting. He asked participants to do their utmost and accelerate the integration process.

Montenegro’s integration is important for the stability and security of Europe and Hungary, and from the point of view of taking control of migration transit routes running through the western Balkans, Szijjarto said.

The “historic” decision concerning Montenegro points clearly in the direction of the alliance’s further enlargement, which mandates accelerating negotiations with Georgia and Macedonia, he said.

The foreign ministers also discussed NATO’s relations with Russia. Each had a different stance but this will not jeopardise the integrity of the alliance or solidarity among member states, he said.

NATO must maintain dialogue with Russia in order to ensure peace and stability in Europe, Szijjarto said. Hungary supports giving a new impetus to cooperation in the NATO-Russia Council, he added.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters