Hoyt Yee of State Department: Montenegro’s full-fledged membership in EU and NATO joint interest of two states

Podgorica, Montenegro (24 October 2014) – Dynamic dialogue with the US officials is a confirmation of the continued partnership between the two countries and the US support for Montenegro in meeting its foreign policy goals, the meeting between Prime Minister Milo Đukanović and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Hoyt Yee emphasised.

PM Đukanović highlighted that Montenegro has made significant progress and set up a solid basis for further economic and democratic development thanks to the support of the USA. The support was significant not only in all periods of the modern history, when Montenegro was facing a lot of challenges, but also nowadays, when it is dynamically moving towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration, he added.

High US official Yee commended Montenegro for its progress made so far, stressing that the USA highly appreciate Montenegro’s contribution to the entire region. It is extremely important for Montenegro to continue making efforts in pursuing its foreign policy goals - the EU and NATO membership, he concluded.

The two officials agreed to continue the intensified dialogue through joint partnership and cooperation in order to ensure Montenegro’s membership in NATO Alliance.

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hoyt Yee also met Thursday with Montenegro's Interior Minister Raško Konjević. He welcomed Montenegro's accomplishments made since regaining its independence, particularly when it comes to strengthening the institutions dealing with the rule of law.

Mr Hoyt noted that Montenegro’s aspirations towards Euro-Atlantic accession are real and the US administration is willing to continue supporting Montenegro's NATO bid, particularly through various mechanisms aimed at strengthening the rule of law.

Interior Minister Konjević thanked Mr Yee for the comprehensive support of the USA to Montenegrin institutions, referring particularly to the Police Authority and Ministry of the Interior, having in mind the need for improving their administrative and technical capacities. He informed Mr Yee about the implementation of the measures within the action plans for the chapters 23 and 24, adding that Montenegro will continue making efforts towards meeting requirements from its Euro-Atlantic agenda. In that regard, he reiterated his belief that focused and intensified dialogue will help Montenegro get NATO membership invitation by the end of 2015.