Reception marking start of process of Montenegro's accession to NATO held in Washington

Washington D.C., the United States (26 March 2016) -- A reception marking the start of the process of Montenegro's accession to NATO, sponsored by the Embassy of Montenegro to the United States and the Montenegrin Caucus in the US Congress, was held earlier today in Washington. The reception was hosted by Ambassador of Montenegro to the United States Srđan Darmanović, and Chairman of the Montenegrin Caucus, Congressman Doug Lamborn. The event was attended by about 150 guests, representatives of the administration and the US Congress, the National Guard of Maine - the partner country of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, the diplomatic corps, political and academic communities and the Montenegrin diaspora.

In addition to Ambassador Darmanović and Congressman Lamborn, guests were also welcomed by Congressman Michael Turner from Ohio, who is also the current Chairman of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eurasian Affairs at the State Department Brian Hoyt Yee, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Europe Michael Carpenter, and Executive Vice President of the Atlantic Council Damon Wilson.

Ambassadpr Darmanović stressed the importance of Montenegro's accession to NATO in the year marking the tenth anniversary of restoration of the country’s independence. This strategic objective was then firmly mapped out, together with European integration, as a guarantor of stabilisation and progress of the country and the entire region. Montenegro shares the values of the Euro-Atlantic community and has many times showed solidarity with the region and its allies, and will continue to do so as a full member of NATO, said Ambassador Darmanović. The Ambassador once again thanked the US administration and the Congress for supporting Montenegro.

Other speakers highlighted that NATO invitation represents a strong confirmation of the open door policy of the Alliance. In addition to requirements Montenegro has already fulfiled and will continue fulfiling in order to achieve NATO standards, the speakers agreed that further expansion of the Alliance is another significant step towards further stabilisation of the Western Balkans and the rounding up of European security and integrity.