NATO Commander-in-Chief Todd Walters was in Podgorica on Wednesday for a farewell visit to Montenegro, where he was received by Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic and Defense Minister Rasko Konjevic.

The president’s office said Mr Djukanovic thanked General Walters for “his commitment to co-operating with Montenegro by contributing to prosperity after five years of NATO membership”, the statement said.

“In the context of the deteriorating security situation in Europe caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine, Montenegro supported NATO activities that stopped further aggression by implementing a preventive and defensive strategy,” said Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic.

The commander of US forces in Europe, Todd Walters, said that the Western Balkans should remain in the center of attention of NATO and the EU.

“We are aware of the different influences in the Western Balkans, but this region must remain the focus of both NATO and the EU,” Walters said. Mr Walters noted that “Montenegro can be proud of the last five years and the achievements of Montenegrin troops in missions in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Latvia and Iraq,” said a statement from the Montenegrin Presidency.

/Klara Ruci/