Foreign officials congratulate Prime Minister on Independence Day

Podgorica, Montenegro (21 May 2016) – On the occasion of 21 May - the Day of Independence of Montenegro and the tenth anniversary, Prime Minister Milo Đukanović received many messages of congratulations. Among the first messages of "congratulations for the achievements over the past ten years" sent the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and the US Secretary of State John Kerry, who stated that the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hoyt Brian Yee will represent him at the ceremony.

"The friendship between our two countries remains strong, and I look forward to the progress of Montenegro in the days and years to come," Kerry's letter said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg pointed out that he firmly believes in the independent Montenegro, stressing the central role of Prime Minister Đukanović in the restoration of independence.

"This allowed Montenegro to decide again on its way and make decisions in its own interest. Euro-Atlantic integration that Montenegro implements is certainly true goal, the best guarantee of peace and prosperity of the country and the wider region of the Western Balkans," SG Stoltenberg noted.

The letter of best wishes also sent Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland. Messages of congratulations to Prime Minister Đukanović sent the Prime Minister of Romania Dacian Cioloș.

"I use this opportunity to congratulate Montenegro the finalisation of the accession negotiations with NATO. I express the hope that the ongoing process of ratification in national parliaments will be quickly finalised. We also welcome the opening of new negotiating chapters with the EU and reiterate our determination to support Montenegro's road of accession to the EU," Cioloș said.

Best wishes on the occasion of Independence Day also sent Prime Ministers of Algeria and Tunisia, Abdelmalek Sellal and Habib Essid.