DPM Lukšić meets with US government officials in New York

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić met today in Washington with Deputy National Security Adviser Avril Haines and Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland.

Echoing the recent message of Vice President Biden to Prime Minister Djukanovic that emphasised the US support for NATO membership of Montenegro, contingent upon further progress in reforms, the achievements of our country in NATO integration process was commended at both meetings. DPM Lukšić conveyed the dedication of the Government to continue working on the reform agenda, both ahead of the December NATO Ministerial meeting and beyond that, with additional energy and vigour. In that regard, he informed on the intensive Government activities concerning the public dialogue on NATO, as well as the rule of law agenda. DPM and his interlocutors agreed that the Resolution on NATO recently passed in the Montenegrin Parliament is of significant importance. Other topics concerning the security and political stability in the region and broader Europe, as well as the effects of the current migrant crisis, were also discussed at both meetings.

During his stay in Washington, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Lukšić also met with Cyril Muller, the World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, and Heather Conley, Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia, and the Arctic at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Meeting between DPM Lukšić and Vice President Muller emphasised the importance of the analytical report of the World Bank in Montenegro, which should serve as a basis for providing support to further economic development of the country through strengthening institutions, with an emphasis, among other things, on the tax administration, local government, environmental management and health care system.