American Senator Lugar: Montenegro number one candidate for NATO membership

Podgorica, Montenegro (3 October 2013) -- Prime Minister Milo Đukanović hosted Wednesday American Senator Richard G. Lugar, who represented Indiana in the United States Senate in the period from 1976 – 2012. Senator Lugar is staying in Montenegro at the invitation of the US – Montenegro Business Council, a main investor in the “Dukley Gardens” project.

PM Đukanović thanked Senator Lugar for his efforts and support provided to Montenegro and other countries of the Western Balkans during his senatorial service. Montenegro, thanks to, among other things, to the valuable support, managed to preserve stability and multi-ethnic harmony, and to become a promoter of Euro-Atlantic values in the Balkans and an active participant in regional cooperation, the Prime Minister said.

He informed the American Senator about the top priorities of the Montenegrin Government, committed to the concept of economic development and dynamic achievement of the country’s strategic foreign policy goals - the NATO and EU accession. He underlined the excellent cooperation with the US - Montenegro Business Council and the American Chamber of Commerce in Montenegro, as a good basis for further strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

After thanking PM Đukanović for the cooperation being carried out within the Institute for Democracy and Congress that bears his name, Senator Lugar said that Montenegro is the number one candidate for the NATO membership. He also emphasised that Montenegro has already done a lot in promoting the rule of law and good neighbourly relations, and that its leadership role in the Western Balkans has been recognised throughout the world.