To be the head of the Ministry of Defense of Montenegro for almost four years was a great honor and pleasure, said in the interview for Dnevne novine Mr Predrag Bošković, Minister of Defense. He reminds that Montenegro became NATO member, that over €120 million has been invested in defense and that Ministry and the Armed Forces can be proud of educated, professional, responsible and rejuvenated staff.
Day of the Army was marked last week, in a slightly different way than usual. Are you satisfied with the results achieved over the past four years?
Mr Bošković: To be the head of the Ministry of Defense of Montenegro for almost four years was a great honor and pleasure. When I reflect and sum all things up, I am very satisfied and proud. Montenegrin army enjoys the greatest trust in our society. We should have celebrated that success on 7 October, but the coronavirus situation obliged is to adhere to health protocols. I am very proud of the core of the Armed Forces, the people. They are such an important part of the system. They were engaged non-stop in this fight against coronavirus.
The emphasis was on modernization of the Aviation and Infantry. What direction should development take?
Mr Bošković: As I have already said, over €120 million has been invested into defense system. That’s more than the investments realized in the last 30 years. We have earmarked around €36 million for three BELL 412 and two BELL 05 helicopters. We have committed €70 million for light-armored vehicles with fighting stations. We have invested some money in the Navy, but that’s just the beginning. The future government is faced with additional challenges regarding modernization of the other two forms of the army. And not only that. Education and improvement of our members are just as important.
What is the quality of staff members in the Ministry of Defense?
Mr Bošković: Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces have excellent, professional and responsible people. I would like to thank these people for building high-quality and modern system. We have made a giant step forward in the context of age structure in the Armed Forces of Montenegro, bringing it from 43 to 36. Around 600 young people have entered the Army.
Other successful projects worth to be mentioned include: voluntary military service, Summer military camp, which was very successful this year despite the pandemic. Ministry has been working devotedly to creating all necessary prerequisites for the high-quality system that is able to respond to all challenges.
How do you expect the new government to express its view on the foreign policy priorities?
Mr Bošković: As I have already said several times, I hope that heads of the Ministry will continue to cherish the same values we have been working on for 15 years. I hope they will keep pursuing the European and Euro-Atlantic path, so that Montenegro can go forward. We have ste great foundations.
In this new role, we are going to make full contribution to the preservation of these values.
