The flag of Montenegro was raised at NATO Headquarters on Wednesday (7 June 2017) in a special ceremony to mark the country’s accession to NATO. Flag raising ceremonies were also held simultaneously at Allied Command Operations (SHAPE) in Mons and Allied Command Operations in Norfolk, Virginia. Montenegro became the 29th member of the Alliance on Monday (5 June 2017) when it deposited its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty with the US State Department in Washington DC.

Standing alongside President Filip Vujanović of Montenegro, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, “We value Montenegro, and recognise the unique contribution you make to the Alliance.” The Secretary General also commended Montenegro’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration and congratulated the Montenegrin government and people for their achievements in the 11 years since the country regained independence. 

Allied foreign ministers signed Montenegro"s Accession Protocol in May 2016, after which all 28 national parliaments voted to ratify its membership. Montenegro’s accession represents NATO"s first enlargement since 1 April 2009, when Albania and Croatia joined the Alliance.