DPM Marković, Philip Reeker of State Department: Montenegro and USA pledge to continue close cooperation

Podgorica, Montenegro (27 November 2012) – Montenegro and the United States will continue to cooperate closely in the spirit of friendship that dates many years ago, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Duško Marković and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker said at a meeting in Podgorica on Monday.

The meeting concluded that the start of the new government terms in both states is a good time frame for defining the principles of bilateral cooperation and partnership in all areas of mutual interest at the political, project and expert levels.

By making extensive efforts to achieve the two key foreign policy goals – EU and NATO accession, Montenegro has expressed clear political will to face these challenges, the two officials stressed. It has also made a significant progress, they continued, in strenghtening the rule of law, judiciary reform, fight against organised crime and corruption, and promotion and protection of human rights.

Both sides emphasised the exapmles of good judicial cooperation such as the implementation of the Agreement on Law Enforcement between the two governments, which duration is extended for another year, and the recommendations from the conference on legal solutions in combating organised crime, which was held in Budva this year, under the auspices of the US Embassy in Podgorica.