US Ambassador, PM Lukšić: Montenegro gives important contribution to dealing with global challenges

Podgorica, Montenegro (12 May 2011) – Despite the fact that Montenegro is a small country, it recognises global and regional challenges and its contribution to dealing with these issues, especially its participation in peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan, is significant, newly appointed US Ambassador to Montenegro Sue Brown emphasised at the meeting with Prime Minister Igor Lukšić.

Prime Minister Igor Lukšić reiterated that Montenegro shares the values ​​of the Western world and wants to implement them into its system while striving for the economic progress and the EU and NATO membership, wishing at the same time to improve the standard of living of its people.

Brown voiced confidence that Montenegro is on the right track and capable of meeting EU commitments, reiterating that the US government will continue to support the country’s efforts in this respect.

On this occasion the PM thanked the ambassador for the US assistance in defence reform and fight against corruption and organised crime, and underlined that Montenegro is establishing a joint investigation team for combating corruption.

The two officials were unanimous in their assessment that the upcoming Inaugural Conference “Balkan Networking for Social Empowerment of South-Eastern Europe” in Budva, which will be attended by the former US President Bill Clinton, will be an excellent opportunity to discuss possibilities for further cooperation between the two countries.