US senators and congressman offer support, commend Montenegro's EU and NATO achievements

Washington, USA (13 October 2011) -- During his first official visit to the United States, Prime Minister Igor Lukšić met with the senators from Maryland, New Hampshire and Arizona, Ben Cardin, Jeanne Shaheen and John McCain, and Congressman Dan Burton.

Montenegro has been a leader and the stability factor in the region, developing constructive relationship with its neighbours and making the economic progress that will benefit both Montenegro and the region as a whole, Senator of Maryland Ben Cardin noted at the meeting with the Prime Minister. He called for further development of already strong and close relations between the two countries and reminded of the support and encouragement for Montenegro’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration efforts that the USA will continue to provide.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire, who chairs the sub-committee on foreign relations for the Senate, remarked that the Senate is highly interested in the Balkans, paying special attention to Montenegro’s EU and NATO accession endeavours.

Her opinion is shared by Congressman Dan Burton who told the PM Lukšić: “We in the US want to do everything we can to help the entire region, but especially Montenegro”.

Discussing the progress Montenegro achieved in its EU and NATO accession agenda, Senator John McCain informed the Prime Minister that the Congress is fully aware of Montenegro’s commitment to achieving these objectives, safe in the knowledge that it “could be a very valuable partner in NATO”.