New York: Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić speaks at UN Security Council thematic debate

New York, the USA (28 April 2014) -- Montenegro's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Igor Lukšić launched his three-day visit to the United States by  addressing the UN Security Council's thematic debate on security sector reform (SSR). The debate, chaired by Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Aminu Wali and attended by 45 UN member-states, reiterated the importance of the SSR and the UN's support for its member-states' activities in this area.

Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić’s speech, which has been the first address of a Montenegrin official at the UN Security Council since the restoration of independence, underlined the importance of an effective, legitimate and accountable security sector and a more comprehensive approach to its reform, which would be based upon principles of democracy, rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights. In that regard, Minister Lukšić presented Montenegro’s activities aimed at meeting the contemporary challenges in this area. He informed the Security Council's members about the process of adoption of legislation and other measures aimed at harmonising the area of security with international standards and best practices.

At the sidelines of the debate, Foreign Minister Lukšić met with his Nigeria's counterpart Aminu Wali. The two officials agreed to establish diplomatic relations in the near future in order to boost bilateral cooperation between Montenegro and Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation.

During his visit to New York, Montenegro’s head of diplomacy will hold bilateral meetings with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and President of the General Assembly John William Ashe.