Defence Minister Pejanovic-Đurišić meets in Vienna with OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier

Podgorica, Montenegro (18 June 2015) -- Minister of Defence of Montenegro Milica Pejanovic-Đurišić met in Vienna with OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the continuity of excellent cooperation between Montenegro and the institutions of the OSCE and its Mission in Podgorica, which is another evidence of Montenegro’s commitment to respecting and implementing OSCE requirements. The two officials praised the OSCE’s activities in Montenegro, reflected through the successful implementation of projects in various fields, which are aligned with national priorities.

Minister Pejanović-Đurišić and Secretary General Zannier paid special attention to the current programme of the Montenegrin presidency of the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation and the activities carried out within this framework. Stressing that Montenegro has assumed the Forum's chairmanship in challenging times, which includes a strong focus on activities related to the crisis in Ukraine, Secretary-General Zannier underlined the OSCE member states’ unanimous support for Montenegro’s priorities, stating that its programme is comprehensive and well-balanced dealing with topics crucial for European security and stability and as such represents an important contribution to the activities of the Forum. 

In preparing and implementing the chairmanship programme, Montenegro demonstrated professionalism and competence, the OSCE Secretary General stressed. He also commended its proactive and inclusive approach in order to encourage dialogue and activities towards strengthening trust and security in the OSCE region, thus contributing to further reinforcing Montenegro's international position.

Defence Minister Pejanović–Đurišić pledged Montenegro's support for the OSCE role and activities in finding political solutions to eastern Ukraine crisis based on sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence of the country and reiterated Montenegro’s strong support for the ongoing diplomatic efforts in that direction.  She also thanked Mr Zannier for the support provided by the OSCE Secretariat in preparing and implementing programmes for assuming the chairmanship of the Forum.