00:00Correspondent Nathalie Carney has been speaking to the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Montenegro at the Munich Security
00:06Conference.
00:08Well, the main message was, of course, that Montenegro is a reliable and credible partner devoted to multilateralism and, of
00:15course, to our chief foreign policy goal, which is becoming a member of the EU.
00:20And I'm very happy to share that in all the talks that I have had with my colleagues around the
00:24European Union, we have received a strong support for this goal of ours.
00:28What are your key takeaways from this year's conference and the high-profile speeches, including from the U.S., from
00:34Europe and from China?
00:36Well, obviously, this is a year when we need to redefine or at least re-evaluate certain global partnerships, of
00:43course, with the United States and, of course, with China.
00:46I think that the speeches that we have heard these two days are confirming that all parties are ready to
00:52work together.
00:53And this is something very important.
00:55This is something that Montenegro cherishes as well, because, as I said, we want to become a member of the
01:00EU, but we are already part of NATO.
01:02And we see the United States as a strategic partner, but also we have very friendly ties with China.
01:09So we believe that in this triangle between the European Union, the United States and China, everybody can find their
01:16spot and fulfill their own interests.
01:19We're here at a time of geopolitical turbulence, it goes without saying.
01:23But the Munich Security Conference is a chance for dialogue, really, amongst that triangle in particular, as you mentioned.
01:30Do you think that's being accomplished here?
01:32I think yes.
01:34I think yes.
01:34And not just through the keynote speeches that we have heard, but we have also seen that there have been
01:39many bilateral meetings between ministers and heads of state and government from all parts of the world.
01:46And I think this is extremely important.
01:49And this is why conferences such as this are very helpful.
01:53Now, as you've mentioned, Montenegro is being described as the current forefront runner in EU enlargement.
02:00From your perspective, what has been the most decisive factor behind the progress achieved over the last year?
02:07Well, from the part of Montenegro, it was a very strong commitment and dedication of all parts of society and
02:15institutions, including the government and the parliament,
02:18to fulfill the reforms and to fulfill the necessary requirements for closing the so-called negotiation chapters with the European
02:27Union.
02:27On the other hand, we have had quite a strong support and assistance, I would say, from the European Commission,
02:34which proves that enlargement is alive, is happening, and Montenegro can be the best proof of it.
02:40Turning to broader security issues, we are at the Munich Security Conference.
02:43How has Russia's conflict against Ukraine changed Montenegro's foreign and security policy priorities?
02:51Well, first and foremost, of course, it has pushed our main foreign policy goal of becoming a member of the
02:57European Union to be more realistic,
03:00because the European Union, after the conflict in Ukraine, has started thinking in a more geopolitical way
03:06and has decided to revive the policy of enlargement, which is the best policy the European Union has ever had.
03:12This has also influenced our bilateral relations with Russia, because as an aspiring member of the European Union and as
03:18a member of NATO,
03:20we have followed all the decisions made by the European Council, since we are 100% aligned with common foreign
03:25and security policy of the European Union.
03:27And those conversations with Russia are going well?
03:31We still need to see what will be the outcome, but we have also supported the dialogue that has been
03:37initiated by President Trump in the United States of America.
03:40So I would say that everybody is hoping for a positive outcome and for achieving peace in Ukraine.
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