Despite Russia's objections, Montenegro still joins NATO

(Baonghean.vn)- On May 25, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg announced that Montenegro will officially become the 29th member of this military alliance in early June, despite strong opposition from Russia.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Photo: AP

Speaking to reporters ahead of the NATO summit, attended by US President Donald Trump and Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg affirmed: "Montenegro's accession to NATO shows that the door to this military alliance is always open."

“I welcome the presence of the Prime Minister of Montenegro today. However, I will be present when the documents on... Montenegro's accession to the union are deposited in Washington,” Mr. Stoltenberg said.

NATO officials confirmed that Secretary General Stoltenberg will be in Washington on June 5, when Montenegro officially submits its membership application to the US Senate, which acts as the guardian of NATO's founding treaty.

Montenegro's accession would complete NATO's presence along the Adriatic coast, which includes Greece, Albania and Croatia, which are already members of the alliance.

The move has met with fierce opposition from Russia. Moscow believes that NATO's expansion into Eastern European countries threatens its security and cannot ignore it.

After Montenegro's parliament approved NATO membership last month, the Russian Foreign Ministry said: "Moscow considers the strategic consequences of this step, therefore we reserve the right to make decisions to protect our national interests and security."

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)