Jakov Milatović, the President of Montenegro, emphasized that the country’s 2017 NATO membership was crucial not just for Montenegro, but also for the stability of the entire region.

While addressing the NATO Youth Summit organized by the Atlantic Alliance of Montenegro in collaboration with NATO in Budva, Milatović highlighted that Montenegro is celebrating eight years of NATO membership this year and pointed out the various advantages that have emerged from this decision.

“Firstly, this decision serves as the strongest security guarantee for Montenegro and stands as one of the three foundational pillars of our defense strategy. Furthermore, over the past few years—since our NATO accession and even during our preparatory phase—membership has been a vital platform for modernizing our military. Currently, Montenegro allocates nearly two percent of its budget for defense, with about 30 percent focused on military modernization, ensuring compliance with NATO standards. Thirdly, NATO membership often acts as a stepping stone towards EU accession,” Milatović stated.

He reassured that as a full NATO member, Montenegro is dedicated to meeting its commitments, including defense expenditure.

“Montenegro is already among the nations spending over two percent on defense. We aim to increase this further, with discussions around a new target of three percent scheduled at the upcoming summit in The Hague. We are committed to adhering to our obligations, particularly in contributing to collective defense along the eastern flank,” Milatović asserted, highlighting Montenegro’s role in a volatile European region.

According to him, Montenegro has bolstered the stability of the Balkans through its NATO membership. “In this region of six countries, where three are NATO allies and three are not, reflecting on our 2017 decision, it’s evident that it was pivotal for regional stability, beyond just Montenegro,” he stressed.

Milatović believes that Montenegro can set a “role model” standard in various areas, particularly in fostering good relations with neighboring countries.

“Our NATO membership is an asset, and our goal remains EU integration. Montenegro’s multiethnic society is a comparative advantage, where diverse ethnic groups largely view Montenegro as their home,” he commented.

He underscored Montenegro’s lead in the EU accession process, claiming, “We have opened all negotiation chapters, closed six, and I’m optimistic that we will wrap up all chapters within the next two to three years. This is how we fulfill our responsibilities. Additionally, as a NATO member, we anchor our security framework, enhancing our suitability for the EU. Economically, we stand as the most developed nation in the region, utilizing the euro, making us well-prepared for EU membership. Lastly, we align fully with EU foreign policy, a fact further strengthened by our NATO alliance,” Milatović explained, stating that achieving EU membership by 2028 is a challenging yet attainable target.

Regarding leadership and youth prospects, Milatović remarked on the disconnect of certain leaders from their constituents in many Western nations.

“This alienation has contributed to notable political shifts across Europe and the Western world. A competent leader must never become detached from their people. It’s crucial to avoid populism while retaining the capability to lead thoughtfully and inclusively. This aspect seems to be notably missing in numerous Western countries today,” he argued, stressing the importance of democratic engagement.

He added, “The detachment of parts of the political elite can create substantial space for populist leaders, who may then win elections and undo many of our hard-earned achievements over the years and decades,” Milatović said.

Discussing the significance of the NATO Youth Summit, he contended that it serves as a valuable platform, given that young people represent the future of NATO nations.

“Soon, many of you will find yourselves in key positions like mine, or as deputy secretary-general, or even secretary-general. You will be making decisions that shape the future of our alliance,” Milatović explained.

He believes NATO’s core value lies in its defense of democracy and the rule of law.

“NATO has proven to be more resilient than other military alliances because it champions democracy and the rule of law as our chosen way of life. We must recognize that democracy isn’t the only system present globally. When viewed through a broader lens, it becomes apparent that global trends in democracy are not uniformly positive. Therefore, the development of democracy requires ongoing effort and vigilance. This is where I see a fundamental strength of the NATO alliance,” Milatović concluded, reminding the youth that “Diligence and education are key to success, not political ties.”

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