site.btaParliament Ratifies Montenegro's NATO Accession Protocol

Parliament Ratifies Montenegro's NATO Accession Protocol

Sofia, June 30 (BTA) - Parliament ratified on Thursday Montenegro's NATO accession protocol.
The Council of Ministers, which sponsored the ratification, lists in its motives that Bulgaria, being a NATO member, has declared many times its unconditional and general support for NATO's open doors policy. This support guarantees the strengthening of peace, lasting security and prosperity in the region, while the invitation extended to Montenegro is undoubtedly a success for the policy carried out by Bulgaria. According to the motives, no financial commitments for Bulgaria stem out of Montenegro's NATO accession.

The Ataka party and independent MP Velizar Enchev declared themselves against the protocol's ratification. Ataka deputy floor leader Dessislav Choukolov said that the people of Montenegro do not want to be members of the Alliance. Enchev noted that the ratification goes against the attitudes of Montenegrins, who wanted a referendum on their country's NATO accession, but such was not held.

GERB deputy floor leader Tsvetan Tsvetanov assured that Montenegro can count on Bulgaria's support in the future.

Patriotic Front floor leader Valeri Simeonov noted that being part of NATO guarantees the national security of the member states, especially in the complicated geopolitical situation.

According to Reformist Bloc deputy floor leader, Korman Ismailov, the protocol's ratification is in line with Bulgaria's priorities, which are for the Balkans to become more secure and more united.

Yanko Yankov of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms described Montenegro NATO accession as being good not only for Europe, but for the world.

Stefan Kenov of the Bulgarian Democratic Centre said that the Western Balkans' EU and NATO integration will bring and guarantee peace in the region.

The President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Darko Pajovic, also attended the ratification's discussion in the plenary hall.

After the ratification, Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov spoke to journalists in Parliament, saying that the people of Montenegro have voted for parties which had clearly stated in their agendas that they will work towards Montenegro's NATO membership. He described the referendum argument as ridiculous, noting however, that there may be some Montenegrins who would want the opposite. According to the diplomat, it is in Bulgaria's national interest to have as many NATO member neighbours as possible.