Montenegrin opinion makers visit SHAPE

MONS, Belgium - Eighteen opinion makers from different institutions, organisations and political parties across Montenegro visited Supreme Headquarters Allied Power Europe (SHAPE) on Tuesday, Apr. 12, 2016.

The Montenegrin delegation was greeted by Major General Ali Çetinkaya the Deputy Chief of Staff Military Partnership at SHAPE and took part in briefings regarding NATO capabilities, current operational engagements as well as network global partnership.

Members of a delegation from Montenegro, listen to a question and answer session given by the Military Partnership Directorate and Montenegro's Partnership Representative at SHAPE, April 12, 2016. The delegation of 18 members, covering the full spectrum of opinions regarding Montenegro's membership in NATO, visited SHAPE to highlight NATO's open door policy helping to spread security, stability and democratic values. (NATO photo by Sgt. 1st Class Stefan Hass, DEUA)

The visit was an opportunity to discuss NATO's current agenda and its relationship with Montenegro, which is a candidate for NATO membership. The visitors shared their varied perspectives on the issue of their country's aspiration to join the Alliance, however one of the major difficulties Montenegro is facing on its Euro-Atlantic integration path is low public support.

NATO Foreign Ministers invited Montenegro to join the Membership Action Plan (MAP) in Dec. 2009, in response to the government's Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations. A formal invitation was issued by the alliance on Dec. 2, 2015.

Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office