site.btaNational Assembly Adopts Declaration on Invitation of Montenegro to Join NATO

National Assembly Adopts Declaration on Invitation of Montenegro to Join NATO

Sofia, December 17 (BTA) - Bulgaria's National Assembly Thursday adopted a declaration in connection with the invitation extended to Montenegro to join NATO. The vote was 150 in favour, 3 against and 2 abstentions. The declaration was moved by MPs of all parliamentary groups except Ataka.

In the document, Parliament offers its most sincere congratulations and expresses its conviction that Montenegro will unswervingly continue to implement successfully the requisite reforms.

The National Assembly declared its readiness to complete the national procedures for ratification of the protocols on Montenegro's accession within the shortest time after the negotiations are concluded.

The declaration points out that support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans is a key aspect of Bulgaria's foreign policy within the context of realization of this country's national interests.

The majority rejected a motion by Yulian Angelov MP of the Patriotic Front that the declaration mention protection of the rights of Bulgarian communities.

Another motion that was voted down came from Yanaki Stoilov MP of BSP-Left Bulgaria, who proposed that "protection of the rights of Bulgarian communities" be rephrased as "protection of the rights of citizens, including those of Bulgarian origin."

Parliamentary Foreign Policy committee Chair Dzhema Grozdanova MP of GERB explained that the text of the declaration is "good and balanced".

Kristian Vigenin MP of BSP-Left Bulgaria also described the text as balanced and pointed out that it reflects Bulgaria's consistent policy regarding the Western Balkans.

Korman Ismailov MP of the Reformist Bloc noted that the declaration has a very clear meaning: expressing encouragement and support of Montenegro.

Meeting in Brussels on December 2, the NATO foreign ministers decided to invite Montenegro to start accession talks to become the 29th member of the Alliance. The invitation will become official at the NATO Summit next year.