Czech President Petr Pavel visited the Atlantic Council of Montenegro today, where he met with its President, Dr. Savo Kentera. During the visit, President Pavel was also briefed on the activities of the Digital Forensic Center (DFC) in combating malign foreign influence and hybrid threats endangering the stability of Montenegro and the region.
The discussion emphasized the urgent need to address coordinated external campaigns, primarily emanating from Russia and executed through local proxies in Montenegro, aimed at destabilizing the Western Balkans.
It was concluded that these activities are sophisticated, orchestrated, and directed by actors whose goal is to erode trust in democratic institutions and paralyze European integration processes.
President Pavel stated that malign foreign influence is not solely a Montenegrin problem but a broader Euro-Atlantic issue. Successfully countering these threats requires decisive action, coordination, and a clear political commitment from allies.
He stressed that Montenegro must remain a credible NATO member, as its membership in the Alliance is one of the guarantees of stability in the Western Balkans. Furthermore, Pavel encouraged Montenegro to view its accession to the European Union as a unifying national objective to overcome the challenges on that path.
Dr. Kentera highlighted that Montenegro is currently experiencing an unprecedented intensity of malign foreign influence, necessitating full support from international partners and strong determination from domestic institutions.
He noted that the Czech Republic’s support demonstrates not only solidarity but also a shared understanding of the danger posed to Montenegro and the entire region. According to him, the Atlantic Council of Montenegro is committed to not only responding to threats but proactively preventing them to safeguard the region’s EU future.
The Atlantic Council of Montenegro reiterated its dedication to promoting Euro-Atlantic values, enhancing regional cooperation, and intensifying efforts to counter malign foreign influence through innovative strategies and analytical work.
This meeting was part of the official visit of the Czech delegation, led by President Pavel, to Montenegro.
