Montenegro on path to NATO membership
05.12.2009
NATO foreign ministers agreed Friday to put Montenegro on track to join the military alliance.
"Montenegro has made substantial progress in reform and continues to contribute actively to security in the region," the NATO ministers said in a statement, "On that basis, we are pleased today to invite Montenegro to move towards NATO membership."
Since Montenegro gained independence from Serbia in 2006, the nation of 700,000 has steadily improved relations with the West. The government recently announced it would send 40 soldiers to join the NATO-led force in Afghanistan.
"This decision is important for Montenegro and for its European and Atlantic aspirations," said Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic in a statement.
Although the NATO membership process could still take several years, Montenegro is now on track to become the alliance's 29th member.
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