Krapović with Mills: US strategic partner and ally with whom we have excellent cooperation

Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović met with the governor of the federal state of Maine, Janet Mills, who is visiting Montenegro regarding the implementation of the exercise “Common Challenge 26” and 20. The Minister highlighted key areas of defense cooperation such as cadet education, training of professional military personnel, joint exercises, and emphasized the importance of cyber cooperation as a dominant topic. He stated that members of the Maine National Guard contributed to strengthening the information technology capacities of the Ministry and the Army, especially during periods of intense cyber attacks. In the context of geopolitical developments and the importance of joint action among allies, Krapović informed Mills that Montenegro, as a credible NATO member, continued to increase its defense expenditures, allocating over 40% of its defense budget this year to modernizing the Army’s capacities. Governor Mills expressed satisfaction with the meeting and recalled the importance of the Strategic Partnership Program, showing readiness to further enhance cooperation between the Maine National Guard and the Montenegrin Army. At the end, the interlocutors discussed the significance of the “Common Challenge” exercise, which currently involves over 500 personnel from allied and partner countries’ armed forces.