"Great overlap between EU and NATO interests and values"

"Great overlap between EU and NATO interests and values"

Noting that Croatia joined NATO five years ago, Croatian Ambassador in Belgrade Gordan Markotic said his country "did so with the intention of joining the EU because membership in NATO was one of the cornerstones on the path of political maturity and modernization of the country."

"The values ​​of NATO such as parliamentary democracy, personal freedoms, market economy and the rule of law are fundamental values ​​of the EU, so we often hear that NATO represents preparation for EU membership," he said. Markotic was speaking during a panel dedicated to "experiences of NATO member states and partners for future (member) countries and partners," held at the embassy of Slovakia in Belgrade.

He added that NATO membership was important "not only from a security standpoint" but, among other things, for "development of tourism" and foreign investments.

"A country is more stable and attractive to foreign investors because it is part of a collective defense and a structure which guarantees peace and stability. It is important that property and financial assets are safe because it's an opportunity for investment," he said.

Markotic also "congratulated Montenegro on the invitation to join NATO," pointing out that admission of new members "leads towards broader safety and security."

Norwegian Ambassador in Belgrade Arne Bjornstad pointed out that NATO decides unanimously on, among other things, admission of new members, and also on "participation in military missions" and underlined that such cooperation and common values ​​within the alliance "add to the feeling of integration."

"We discuss together all foreign policy issues and that has brought us closer to EU's foreign policy," said Bjornstad, according to Tanjug. The diplomat added there has been "a strong sense of security" in Norway since the country joined NATO.

Ambassador of Ukraine in Belgrade Oleksandr Aleskandrovich said that his country, "after the departure from power of President Viktor Yanukovich," chose in favor of joining NATO and that now 50 percent of citizens support this.

He said that the previous policy of neutrality of Ukraine was "undoable and impossible," stressing that NATO is "the only efficient and effective organization in the Euro-Atlantic area".

Minister Counselor at the embassy of Montenegro in Serbia Cedomir Fustic pointed out that Montenegro in 2006 set itself the goal to join NATO and the EU, which is why, he said, it did "everything to align itself with the family of modern democratic states that share EU values."

"Our process of joining NATO was of great help in undertaking those reforms that are part of the process of European integration," he said.

As he pointed out, Montenegro's accession to NATO will promote regional stability and positively impact EU integration of other countries that aspire to NATO membership - "like Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina."

Fustic added that Montenegro supports the countries in the region that want to join NATO, but also respects those who want to remain neutral.

Military attache of the Austrian embassy in Belgrade Thomas Ahammer recalled that Austria is not a NATO member, but participates in its military missions "because that strengthens Euro-Atlantic political dialogue."

"The European Union and NATO are very close. The fact is that 22 countries are members of both organizations indicates overlapping interests," he concluded.

The Belgrade NATO Week is held with the support of NATO's Public Diplomacy Division and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.