The Secretary General of NATO, Mr Anders F. Rasmussen, congratulated Montenegro itsrestoration of independence. The President of the Parliament of Montenegro and OSCE PA, Mr Ranko Krivokapić, pointed out that the fight, from the very beginning, to restore full independence of Montenegro was the foundation of her Euro-Atlantic path.

The Secretary General Rasmusen said that the Alliance recognized the results achieved in the reform of key areas that our country had made.

The President Krivokapić stressed that the possible invitation to our country for joining, at the Summit in Wales, was of strategicandsecurityimportance, not only for Montenegro, but for the entire region and the Alliance as well.

Mr Krivokapić said that there was much work ahead of us on key tasks such as the unquestionable commitment to strengthening the rule of law, and the full completion of the reform of the civil service security.

Mr Krivokapić, during his talk withthe Secretary General Rasmusen, concluded that Montenegro remained truly dedicated and would persevere in fulfilling her obligations in the eve of the Summit. "As the integration process to NATO is in parallel courses, both Montenegrin and interests of the Alliance, we hope that these roads met and lead to a call for full membership."

The Secretary General Rasmusen expressed appreciation for the role and contribution of the President Ranko Krivokapić in this field.