BRUSSELS, February 15. Montenegro began accession talks with NATO on the details of membership, including political, military and legal questions, and provide an opportunity for both sides to clarify outstanding issues.

The next step will be for Allies to sign an Accession Protocol, after which Montenegro will begin attending NATO meetings as an invitee. Once all Allies have ratified the Protocol, Montenegro will be able to accede to the Washington Treaty and become the 29th member of the Alliance.

Since 2009, NATO and Montenegro have worked closely together through the Membership Action Plan, which helps nations prepare for possible future membership. In December 2015, NATO Foreign Ministers invited Montenegro to start Accession Talks. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the invitation as “historic” saying “it makes clear that NATO keeps its door open, to complete our vision of a Europe whole, free and at peace.”