Ambassador of Slovenia to NATO Jelko Kacin said for Pobjeda daily that he was not surprised with findings of British media and intelligence services of Russian influence in the attempted state coup in Montenegro. He said that NATO shared information with Montenegrin investigators.
“It is only logical that members of the Alliance share information with Montenegrin institution and help to protect the country from foreign destabilization, because Montenegro has practically been a member of NATO for a while now”, Kacin said for Pobjeda daily.
Several British papers and televisions published evidence and findings on influence of Russian military structure GRU in the events in Montenegro, as well as Shishmakov’s fake passport that he used to change identity just before parliamentary elections in Montenegro.
Kacin said that type of cooperation within Alliance is a regular way to take mutual responsibility.
“Intelligence services regularly cooperate. It means mutual responsibility for the stability of the whole continent”, he said.
“Montenegro is de facto NATO member, although it is not official yet”, Kacin added.
According to Pobjeda daily sources, first next ratification is set to happen in the Spanish parliament. After that, Netherlands, the US and Canada are set to ratify. After yesterday’s denial statement from official Russia, NATO said that relations between Montenegro and NATO must be conducted without involvement from the third party.
“Every country has a right to decide its own future and political and safety measures. NATO is dedicated to Western Balkan and we help countries in the region implement necessary reforms for the benefit of their societies. Countries need to decide by themselves whether they want to join NATO, and we respect everyone’s decision”, it was stated in NATO.
