NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during his visit to Montenegro, warned that there are actors trying to destabilize the Western Balkans and pull the region back, but emphasized that the Alliance is committed to ensuring that the problems of the past remain in history.
He stated that “We will identify and oppose any malicious activity on NATO territory”underlining that the region remains important for Euro-Atlantic security.
Rutte mentioned that Russia continues its war against Ukraine, China is becoming more assertive in its approach, while the southern neighborhood remains unstable.
He welcomed the fact that Montenegro already invests over 2% of GDP in defense and described the country as a valuable NATO ally, recalling that it has been part of the Alliance for nine years.
