PM Đukanović, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Yee: Montenegro, USA, establish excellent bilateral relations

Podgorica, Montenegro (29 October 2013) -- Prime Minister Milo Đukanović hosted Monday US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Hoyt Brian Yee. 

PM Đukanović said that Mr Yee’s appointment as US Deputy Assistant of State is an important impulse to further promotion of cooperation initiated while he was serving in Podgorica as US Ambassador.

Montenegro is satisfied with high quality of bilateral relations established between the two countries, and it is especially grateful for the US continued support for Montenegro’s reform process and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations, the Prime Minister underlined.

After restring independence, Montenegro continued to pursue economic and political reforms, which enabled it a steady course towards EU and NATO. In addition, Montenegro is now becoming the most dynamic investment destinations in the Western Balkans, the Prime Minister stressed.  

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hoyt Brian Yee welcomed Montenegro's  accomplishments in the integration process, as well as the overall progress since restoring independence. He pointed out the United States pledges full support for Montenegro's NATO bid, adding that it is crucial to concentrate efforts towards fulfilling all requirements that were identified in order to demonstrate the country's willingness to join the NATO. Special attention should be paid to raising public support for NATO accession, as well as to strengthening the rule of law. Therefore, he concluded, the successful implementation of the reforms is essential in the coming period 

Mr Yee thanked Montenegro for its contribution to international peace and security, especially referring to its participation in the ISAF mission. He also commended Montenegro's commitment to good neighbourly relations and cooperation, as well as the progress Montenegro made in the field of European integration.

The two officials highlighted the importance of existing partnership, as well as openness and trust between the two countries that have been built in times of serious challenges. At the same time, they stressed that the excellent bilateral relations between Montenegro and the United States need to be further upgraded, as well as the economic cooperation.