Minister of Defence Pejanović-Djurisic met with U.S. Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland

Minister of Defence Prof. Milica Pejanović-Djurisic PhD met with U.S. Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland, who is paying an official visit to Montenegro.
Minister Pejanović-Djurisic stressed the importance of the strategic partnership with the United States in the field of defense, and expressed hope that Montenegro will in the future have the full support for the implementation of defense-sector reform and for progress towards Montenegro's membership in NATO.
The Minister also informed the Assistant Secretary about the priority tasks of the Ministry of Defence in the next period in the context of follow-on implementation of standards and the achievement of criteria that will best show the degree of overall readiness for full membership in NATO.
Pejanović-Djurisic welcomed the decision of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs in June this year to open intensified and focused discussions with Montenegro considering such a position as confirmation of the results achieved in the Euro-Atlantic integration process. The Minister stressed the readiness of Montenegro, in the shortest time possible, actively to participate in Intensified Dialogue with NATO in order to thereby create the conditions for more effective continuation of reforms in the defense sector as well as in other areas of importance.
Assistant Secretary Nuland pointed out that Montenegro has achieved significant results in defense sector reform and capacity building of the armed forces. She emphasized the importance of the participation of the Army of Montenegro in the international ISAF mission and the contributions that our country offers to the international community in this way. She reiterated the full support of the U.S. for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Montenegro, as well as the willingness to help promote cooperation in all areas of importance for the further implementation of reforms in Montenegro. She particularly emphasized the importance of Montenegro's commitment to regional cooperation, finding that in this regard as well Montenegro has the support of partners to create through joint initiatives the conditions for the overall harmonious development of the region of Southeast Europe.

The meeting was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro Sue K. Brown, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Evelyn Farkas and U.S. EUCOM J5 Director General Major Randy A. Kee.

Defense Minister Pejanović-Djurisic met with U.S. Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland

Defense Minister Pejanović-Djurisic met with U.S. Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland