US State Department’s Reeker in meeting with Montenegro’s PM Đukanović: The United States never forgets its friends

Podgorica, Montenegro (7 June 2013) – The US and Montenegro boast close and friendly relations based on mutual trust and cooperation, the meeting between Prime Minister Milo Đukanović and Deputy Assistant US State Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker concluded.

Prime Minister Đukanović thanked the US government for their continued support to Montenegro in meeting its foreign policy priorities and noted that his Government will continue working with great commitment towards meeting the criteria for accession to NATO and the EU. He added that Montenegro views these reform processes as domestic requirements important for the improvement of the quality of life of Montenegrin citizens.

Mr Reeker, a senior State Department official, underlined that the US, regardless of the demanding global agenda, always pays close attention to the developments in the Balkans. He noted that Montenegro is on the right track and may always count on US support to political, economic, and other issues of importance for Montenegro’s future and its cooperation with the US, stressing that the US never forgets its friends.

The two officials exchanged opinions on current affairs in the Western Balkans, welcoming in particular the recent agreement between Belgrade and Priština, and the importance of Croatia’s accession to the EU.