US Army General Curtis M. Scaparrotti,  Supreme Allied Commander Europe,  and Predrag Bošković,  MSc,  Minister of Defence of Montenegro,  uncover the new street sign honouring Montenegro at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE),  Feb. 13,  2018. (NATO photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Danielle Brandt,  USN)

MONS, Belgium - Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, welcomed Montenegro's Minister of Defence, Predrag Bošković, to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 for a brief ceremony marking the significance of NATO's newest member.

The first official visit by a member of Montenegro's Ministry of Defence was signified with the naming of a street at the Headquarters in honour of the country's capital, Podgorica.

"Today's not the naming of a new street on a base, it's an acknowledgement of the strength and unity of our Alliance that now stands at 29 nations strong," said General Scaparrotti. "As NATO's newest member we provide the guarantee for Montenegro's future security. Your membership has come after years of hard work and is proof to NATO's open-door policy. You've already strengthened the Alliance and will continue to do so as we tackle one of the most challenging periods in Alliance history."

Montenegro joined the Alliance on Jun. 5, 2017, when the instrument for its accession to the Washington Treaty (or the North Atlantic Treaty) was formally deposited with the U.S. State Department.

"Privilege comes hand-in-hand with responsibility and to this end we will continue to be equally committed to implementing reforms and creating our own steps in accordance with the NATO agenda with the aim of maximising our contributions to global peace and security," said Minister Bošković.