The Atlantic Council of Montenegro is celebrating 18 years since its establishment today, and over the past nearly two decades, it has become an indispensable actor in promoting Euro-Atlantic values, regional stability, and security.

The Atlantic Council of Montenegro was established in 2006, during a period when Montenegro, as a young independent state, was beginning its journey toward international affirmation and integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. Our mission then, as well as today, has been clear: to offer support to Montenegro on its path to NATO membership, promote the values of democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and security, and contribute to strengthening regional cooperation in the field of defense and security.

At the time the Atlantic Council was founded, Montenegro, at the beginning of its international journey, faced significant challenges. Through consistent cooperation with partners, the organization of various educational and promotional activities, and significant engagement in the field of public diplomacy, our organization contributed to preparing the country for NATO membership, which was achieved in 2017 when we, together with the citizens of Montenegro and international partners, celebrated this success, which was the result of decades of effort, perseverance, and vision.

Today, 18 years later, we live in a time of geopolitical challenges that shape the future of the region, and the tensions flaring up in the Western Balkans pose a challenge for both the NATO Alliance and the European Union.

In this context, Montenegro’s membership in NATO holds even greater significance, considering that the Alliance currently represents the most important guarantee of stability in our country.

The Atlantic Council of Montenegro remains committed to preserving and strengthening this membership, and the recently held 2BS Forum is the crown of these activities, providing all participants with a unique platform for dialogue, education, and analysis of key issues related to defense, security, and foreign policy.

We are proud of what has been achieved in the past 18 years, but we are also aware that we must not rest on our laurels. We will continue to be proactive and consistent with the values we promoted from the very beginning, and remain open to cooperation with all who uphold these values, in a joint effort to build a safer future and a more stable environment for Montenegro and the entire region.