US officials pledge support for Montenegro's integration aspirations and establishment of Montenegro's caucus in US Congress

Washington DC, the USA (3 October 2013) – Advisor to Montenegro’s Prime Minister and National Coordinator for NATO Nebojsa Kaluđerović paid a working visit to Washington, during which he held meetings at the White House, State Department and US Congress.

During the meeting in the US Congress, Congressman Michael Turner, Chairman of the US delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, announced the completion of establishing Montenegro's congressional caucus, whose official inauguration is expected by the end of 2013. As Chairman of the Caucus, Congressman Turner announced activities towards promoting Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic goals and other priorities in bilateral cooperation. Both sides expressed satisfaction that this important process, which will further contribute to the improvement of bilateral relations, is coming to an end.

Montenegro’s National Coordinator for NATO Nebojša Kaluđerović met with National Security Council's Senior Director for Europe Karen Donfried for talks on Montenegro’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, the next 2014 NATO summit and bilateral cooperation. Ms Donfried positively assessed Montenegro’s overall progress and stressed the USA particularly appreciates the good example Montenegro sets in the region and globally through its engagement in Afghanistan. She pledged the US support for the NATO's open door policy and maintenance of its credibility, as well as for individual assessment of membership candidates’ progress.

The meeting between Mr Kaluđerović and US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Hoyt Brian Yee highlighted very good and meaningful relations between Montenegro and the United States, with a possibility of their further improvement, particularly in terms of strengthening Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic perspective. The two officials emphasised the support the United States has been continuously providing to Montenegro’s democratic development and implementation of its strategic priorities, in particular referring to the Montenegro’s dedication to meeting the necessary criteria for a very demanding and mutually complementary European and Euro-Atlantic agenda.

During his stay in Washington, the National Coordinator for NATO spoke with Executive Vice President of the US Atlantic Council Damon Wilson and Ian Brzezinski, member of the Council’s Advisory Board, about boosting cooperation in the NATO accession process.