Krapović and Taner: Support for Establishing College for Defense and Security Studies of the Western Balkans

In this context, they agreed that although Montenegro and Austria have different security policies, the perception of Montenegro as a credible NATO member and Austria as a neutral military state remains the same when it comes to key European security principles. A shared stance was emphasized that today's challenges can only be successfully overcome through partnership, dialogue, and joint action, and that Montenegro and Austria share the same strategic interest, which is a stable, secure, and resilient Europe. Minister Krapović thanked Austria for its continuous support for Montenegro's European integration, highlighting the progress Montenegro has made on this path through dedicated work, aiming to complete the integration process by the end of this year and join the EU in 2028. Speaking about specific activities within defense cooperation, the minister mentioned the importance of educating Montenegrin cadets at the Theresian Military Academy, as well as cooperation in mountain warfare and air search and rescue, which have significantly improved the capacities of the Montenegrin Army thanks to Austria's long-standing support. Concluding that the previous defense cooperation has been very successful, Minister Taner expressed confidence that it will be further strengthened through the development of new forms of cooperation in line with contemporary security challenges. During the visit of the Austrian delegation, a Letter of Intent was signed regarding advanced officer training in Austria, creating a legal basis for regulating the enhancement of professional capabilities of Montenegrin Army officers who received their education at the Theresian Military Academy in Vienna.