Vice Minister emphasised that despite not having shared borders and being attributed to different regions, the two countries faced similar geopolitical challenges. “We both are young democratic states that have chosen their way forward - we are NATO allies, Lithuania supports Montenegro’s efforts to join the European Union. We have to decidedly strengthen the Euro-Atlantic unity further and follow our route,” Vice Minister V. Umbrasas said.
The Vice Minister rejoiced at the fact that Lithuania and Montenegro are active in ensuring not only national security but also the success of international efforts for stability and peace worldwide. Both countries take part in multinational operations in the same regions.
According to Vice Minister, security and defence cooperation between Lithuania and Montenegro has a great potential to grow, sharing experience in such areas as strategic communication, increasing public resilience and officer training could be mutually beneficial. He invited Montenegro to consider joining the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence and sending instructor and students to the b Baltic Defence College.
Ambassador of Montenegro thanked for Lithuania’s support while seeking NATO membership and stressed that Lithuania’s was among the first allies to ratify Montenegro’s NATO accession. Ambassador also emphasized the willingness to strengthen security and defence cooperation and invited a Lithuanian delegation to visit Montenegro.
Lithuania and Montenegro signed a defence cooperation agreement on 23 October, 2013.
