Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić meets US State Department’s Reeker: The US lends support to further reform processes in Montenegro

Podgorica, Montenegro (7 June 2013) – The US will continue supporting Montenegro’s reform processes aimed at the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration, noted Deputy Assistant US State Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker in his meeting earlier with Deputy Prime Minister Igor Lukšić. He added that traditionally good relations between Montenegro and the US should be further enhanced through closer bilateral cooperation. He noted that Montenegro has an important and leading role in the region’s integration processes.

Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić, who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration, welcomed the traditionally good and friendly relations between the two countries, noting in particular the importance of continuity in their political dialogue. He thanked the US for its support to Montenegro in its Euro-Atlantic integration efforts and noted that he hoped the forthcoming NATO Summit would promote the open door policy recognising individual achievements of each aspiring state. 

The two officials also discussed Montenegro’s EU integration efforts and welcomed the fact that Montenegro opened and temporarily closed two negotiating chapters, noting that close attention should be put on the most delicate Chapters 23 and 24 –related to the rule of law and fight against organised crime and corruption – as they have great significance for the continuation of the accession process. Mr Lukšić and Mr Reeker agreed that the continued dialogue in the region and Croatia’s accession to the EU planned for July 2013 will open numerous opportunities for stronger binding in concrete areas significant for the region’s economic development.

Mr Lukšić presented his new initiative for six Western Balkan countries aiming at establishing a more improved form of cooperation in the fields important for the improvement of the life quality, with the purpose of speeding up their European integration processes. He emphasised that Montenegro’s key foreign policy priority is strong regional cooperation.