Ibrahimović: Strengthening international cooperation key in countering political terrorism

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović, during the second day of his visit to Washington D.C., participated in the ministerial meeting on resurgence of political terrorism, held at the invitation of United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Following Secretary Rubio's opening remarks, Ibrahimović participated as a speaker in one of the ministerial panels dedicated to contemporary security challenges.

In his address, Ibrahimović stressed that political terrorism today is taking on new and more complex forms, through links with transnational extremist networks, illicit financing, online radicalisation, foreign information manipulation, as well as hybrid and cyber activities.

He emphasised that, despite changes in methods of operation, the goals of political terrorism remain the same - undermining democratic institutions, spreading fear, deepening social divisions and eroding citizens' trust. He pointed out that addressing these threats requires a comprehensive approach based on strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing societal resilience, respecting human rights and improving international coordination.

Ibrahimović underlined that, as a NATO Ally, Montenegro contributes to collective security through strengthening institutional resilience, improving intelligence cooperation, protecting critical infrastructure and joint action in countering extremist networks and terrorist financing.

Speaking about the regional context, Ibrahimović warned that political, religious and ethnic divisions, as well as unresolved issues in the Western Balkans, continue to create space for malign actors to exploit in order to destabilise societies, slow down European and Euro-Atlantic integration and undermine democratic processes.

He recalled that Montenegro is in the final phase of negotiations with the European Union, with a clear goal of completing the negotiation process by the end of this year and becoming a full member of the European Union by the end of 2028.

In this context, he noted that attempts by foreign malign actors to weaken institutions, create instability and undermine citizens' confidence in Montenegro's European future through disinformation, hybrid activities and the manipulation of media narratives have intensified.

Concluding his address, Ibrahimović stated that terrorism thrives where institutions are weak, societies are divided and international cooperation is insufficient. He stressed that the international community's response must be based on unity, resilience and consistent commitment to shared democratic values.

He confirmed Montenegro's readiness to continue, together with the United States and partners who share the same values, contributing to the strengthening of international cooperation aimed at preserving peace, security and stability.

During his visit to Washington, Ibrahimović also met with Max Primorac, a senior fellow at the The Heritage Foundation, and his colleagues. They discussed the current political situation in Montenegro and the region, as well as security and geopolitical challenges facing Europe.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the European perspective of the Western Balkans, confirming Montenegro's progress in the process of closing negotiation chapters, with the aim of becoming a full member of the European Union by the end of 2028.