Montenegro will begin the process of joining NATO after foreign ministers from the alliance extended a formal invitation at a meeting in Brussels.
The accession of Montenegro unifies almost the entire northern Mediterranean coastline under the NATO alliance.
The move is already prompting strong responses from Russia which has condemned NATO expansion and says it will be forced to take retaliatory measures.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the Montenegro's invitation to join NATO is part of NATO's commitment to the region.
IN: "Montenegro's accession..."
OUT: "...at peace."
DUR: 20 seconds
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Montenegro's foreign minister Igor Luksic (look-schitch) said the invitation will further stabalize the region while addressing Nato foreign ministers in Brussels.
IN: "This is..."
OUT: "...and stability."
DUR: 25 seconds
CLIP 2: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1202nato-luksic.mp3
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US secretary of state John Kerry says inviting Montenegro to join has nothing to do with NATO's relationship with Russia.
IN: "NATO is not..."
OUT: "...security alliance."
DUR: 19 secs
CLIP 3: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1202nato-kerry.mp3
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US secretary of state John Kerry says inviting Montenegro to join has nothing to do with NATO's relationship with Russia.
IN: "NATO is not..."
OUT: "...security alliance."
DUR: 19 secs
CLIP 3: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1202nato-kerry.mp3