Garčević on Al Jazeera Montenegro’s NATO Bid
Amb. Vesko Garčević, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at the Frederick S.Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, was recently interviewed on the decision of the Montenegrin Parliament to ratify the North Atlantic Treaty which is the final step before country’s membership to NATO.
Garčević was interviewed on April 28, 2017 on Al Jazeera. In the interview, Garčević evaluated political and legal aspects of the Parliamentary decision and its implications for the future of Montenegro and the Balkans. He also gave his view on the Russian involvement behind political protests against Montenegro’s membership to NATO.
From the interview:
It’s a historical moment for my country. It has far-reaching implications for the future of the people living in Montenegro. I think we are going to be more aware of the importance of these issues as time goes on. The Balkans is facing a time of uncertainty, and a time of problems. For a country of the size of Montenegro, it’s very important to find its way forward and to anchor itself to the Western world, the EU and NATO.
Last month, Garčević was interviewed on the United States Senate decision to ratify Montenegro’s accession to NATO. In Garcevic’s opinion, this decision not only sends a clear signal that the U.S. supports Montenegro’s bid for membership, but it is also a message that the U.S. continues to stand behind countries wishing to embrace western values.
Prior to joining the Pardee School faculty, Amb. Garčević served as National Coordinator for NATO in Montenegro, where he managed inter-agency coordination and NATO public campaign promoting Montenegro’s membership to the organization.