The US supports Montenegro's NATO membership, VP Joe Biden tells PM Đukanović

Podgorica, Montenegro (14 September 2015) – The United States supports Montenegro’s membership in NATO provided that Montenegro continues pursuing reforms and boosts popular support for NATO accession, Prime Minister Milo Đukanović was told by US Vice-President Joseph Biden.

The two officials spoke on the telephone earlier today. Prime Minister Đukanović thanked the US and Vice-President Biden personally for the continued support and attention they have provided to Montenegro, as well as for their understanding of Montenegro’s and the region’s European and Euro-Atlantic perspective. The Prime Minister told the Vice-President he was hopeful that the NATO ministerial meeting in December would reach a consensus on inviting Montenegro to join the Alliance.

Contingent upon further progress in the aforementioned areas, the United States is prepared to support extending a membership invitation to Montenegro at the December meeting of NATO foreign ministers, VP Biden has told PM Đukanović. The Vice President commended Montenegro’s defence, intelligence, and rule of law reforms and encouraged the Government to continue to look for ways to strengthen efforts to fight corruption and organised crime.

Prime Minister Đukanović underlined that Montenegro is fully committed to implementing reforms and added that it will continue with even more vigour to pursue its commitments aimed at getting closer to NATO and the EU.

Prime Minister Đukanović and Vice-President Biden agreed that Montenegro’s membership in NATO would firmly anchor Montenegro in Euro-Atlantic institutions, promote greater regional stability in the Balkans, and demonstrate the credibility of NATO’s Open Door policy.


PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE