DPM Bečić: Strong alliances are of crucial importance for our security

The ceremony which marked the 20th anniversary of the State Partnership Programme (SPP) between the Armed Forces of Montenegro and the State of Maine, took place at Villa Gorica, commemorating a significant milestone in the longstanding cooperation, professional ties and friendship between members of the two armed forces.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro for Security, Defence, Fight Against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Bečić, Minister of Defence Dragan Krapović, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, Brigadier General Miodrag Vuksanović, Governor of the State of Maine Janet Mills, Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard, Major General Diane Dunn, as well as numerous representatives of defence institutions and members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro and the Maine National Guard, and Director of the Police Administration Lazar Šćepanović.

"It is my pleasure that, following our joint attendance today at the major international military exercise on Mount Durmitor, we have the privilege of hosting you at this ceremony. I discussed this event with General Dunn at the Pentagon as early as the middle of last year, on the occasion of this important anniversary.

Relations between Montenegro and the United States of America are based on mutual respect, trust and a strong commitment to freedom and democratic values. It was precisely on these foundations that the partnership with the State of Maine was established 20 years ago. Nowadys, it is an important part of our allied relations - cooperation measured not only in years, but in results and in the people who give it lasting value," Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić said in his address.

Bečić noted that we live today in a world that is more complex, unpredictable and demanding from a security perspective than it was two decades ago, stressing that no country can address all challenges on its own.

"Therefore, strong alliances, reliable partnerships and readiness for coordinated action are of crucial importance for our security," Bečić said.

Speaking about the importance of the partnership for Montenegro, Bečić stressed that it had played a particularly important role in developing defence capabilities and preparing Montenegro for NATO membership, but that its value extends far beyond military cooperation.

"It contributed to strengthening our institutions and developing human capacities. When we faced serious cyberattacks and other security challenges, we were once again reminded of the importance of solidarity and mutual support," DPM Bečić highlighted.

He noted that Montenegro is a reliable and responsible NATO Ally, committed to its European future and the stability of the region, and that it wishes to continue building relations with its allies with even greater ambition and responsibility.

Speaking about the future of the partnership, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the anniversary should not be viewed merely as an opportunity to look back at the previous 20 years, but also as the beginning of a new stage of cooperation.

"It is up to us to make the next 20 years even stronger, more substantive and more ambitious, because an alliance is not only about what we have built in the past. It is a promise that we will stand by one another in the years to come," Bečić concluded.

Addressing the event, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, Brigadier General Miodrag Vuksanović, noted that over the past two decades the partnership covered a broad range of areas, from professional development and mountain operations to search and rescue, aviation and maritime capabilities, special operations, CBRN defence, logistics, engineering and cyber defence.

"Behind each of these areas are people who worked together, trained together and solved real-world challenges together. That is precisely what has made this partnership so valuable," he said.

Speaking about Montenegro's accession to NATO in 2017, General Vuksanović said that membership opened a new chapter in the relationship.

"We have moved from supporting Montenegro on its path towards NATO membership to working together as Allies, with an even greater focus on interoperability, readiness, capability development and our contribution to collective defence," the Chief of the General Staff said.

Looking to the future of the partnership, General Vuksanović said that the anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved, but also to lay the foundations for continued cooperation.

"Twenty years is a significant anniversary, but it is not the end of the road. If the first twenty years were dedicated to building the foundations of our partnership, I am confident that the next twenty will be dedicated to building upon those foundations, adapting to new challenges, developing new capabilities and, most importantly, preserving the relationships between our people at the very heart of our cooperation," he concluded.

Governor of the U.S. State of Maine Janet Mills said that, over the course of 20 years, Maine and Montenegro had trained together, learning how to navigate challenging mountainous terrain, facing extremely cold weather conditions and protecting the security and safety of our countries, thereby enhancing the capabilities of our forces and strengthening our shared prospects:

I am proud to have had the opportunity to witness the capabilities of our partners during the final exercise 'Joint Challenge 2026' in the highlands of Pirlitor, and it is an honour to join the Montenegrin officials, members of the Maine National Guard and the leadership of the U.S. Embassy in marking the 20th anniversary of this significant partnership.

I am extremely proud of how this partnership has developed over the past 20 years - from our first exchanges to lasting friendships, professional development and the operational capabilities that we have built and developed together today," said Major General Diane Dunn, Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard.

This anniversary is not only a celebration of what we have achieved over the past two decades, but also an opportunity to look ahead with confidence and enthusiasm to the possibilities that await us in the years to come.

Over the course of two decades, the partnership between the Armed Forces of Montenegro and the Maine National Guard has developed through numerous joint activities, training programmes, and exchanges of experience and expertise, creating strong professional and personal ties between members of the two institutions.

The ceremony provided an opportunity to recognise all those who have contributed to the development of the partnership over the past 20 years and to reaffirm the shared commitment to its further advancement, in the spirit of alliance, professional cooperation and mutual trust.