Pejanović Đurišić pays visit to Washington

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Minister of Defence Prof. Milica Pejanović Đurišić, PhD met yesterday in Pentagon with United States of America Deputy Secretary of Defence, Robert Work.

Following an official reception in Pentagon, Minister Pejanović Đurišić made her collocutor familiar with the activities carried out by Montenegro and the Ministry of Defence in the final stage of the accession to NATO Alliance, as well as with the opportunities for further cooperation in the area of defence, especially speaking of Montenegro’s participation and contribution to peace and stability in the region and globally.

The United States Deputy Secretary of Defence congratulated Montenegro on so far achieved results and successes, especially on the recently signed NATO Accession Protocol which represents as he said "a signal to partners to begin the ratification process". Concluding that two NATO partner countries have already ratified the Protocol, he has expressed his expectation that Montenegro will have a strong support from the United States of America, during the final stage of the accession to the Alliance as well. He also emphasized the impressive contribution and significant participation of Montenegro in the international global initiatives and expressed his believe that new opportunities for cooperation will arise in the future at the bilateral level as well as with other partner countries.

In addition to meetings at the Pentagon, Minister Pejanović Đurišić took part in the Atlantic Council’s Conference on „The Future of NATO Enlargement and New Frontiers of in European Security", which was held yesterday in Washington.
Addressing the panel on "How to Become a New NATO Ally: Successful Stories and Future Steps", the Minister presented Euro-Atlantic integration process, from the Montenegrin point of view.

"We have experienced intensive and exhausting stages of Euro-Atlantic integration and in cooperation with partners, we have succeeded in reaching the goal. Even through turbulent years in the Balkans, at the end of last century, Montenegro knew how to preserve peace. Therefore, becoming the Alliance member we want to additionally consolidate the stability of the entire Western Balkans region, clearly committing ourselves to values that characterize democratic countries", Minister Pejanović Đurišić said. She also pointed out that Montenegro's membership in the Alliance represents a new contribution to the fulfillment of the vision "Europe - Whole, Free and at Peace".

The Minister also stated that despite all current challenges and threats we have been all together facing with lately, Montenegro managed to present its position to partners, in the right way and that "received invitation for NATO membership and the signed Alliance
Accession Protocol are the results that are making Montenegro a positive example of how commitment and focus to a specific goal lead to success“. She expressed expectation that the partners will continue to provide support even through the process of NATO Accession Protocol ratification, with a view to effectuating Alliance enlargement policy fully.

In addition to the Minister of Defense, Prof. Milica Pejanović Đurišić, PhD, Mikheil Janelidze, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and Hanna Hopko, Head of Ukraine Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee also took their parts at the panel.