Pejanović Đurišić meets with the U.S. senators in Washington

Minister of Defence Prof. Milica Pejanović Đurišić, PhD met yesterday at the Senate with New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Tennessee State Senator Bob Corker and Maryland Senator Ben Cardin, the State of Maine Senators Suzan Collins and Agnus King, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions and Mike Tarner, Senator from Connecticut.

Minister Pejanović Đurišić briefed senators in details on the activities of Montenegro, both in the framework of the overall reforms and in the context of the integration agenda - European and Euro-Atlantic. Stressing out an extraordinary importance of the integration process, not only for Montenegro, but for other region countries as well, the Minister said that in the last years, although deeply and in European integration, Montenegro had focused on joining the Euro-Atlantic community, i.e. NATO Alliance.
"Montenegro's dedicated work to this agenda, which evolved through different stages, resulted in a success when we received an invitation for membership, in December last year, which was followed by the signing of the Alliance Accession Protocol, on the 19th of May. Montenegro expects continued support of the United States of America, as the main strategic partner, with a view to affirming the comprehensive progress in this process. The USA timely support would be the best message to all those who put the Euro-Atlantic community and allies solidarity on test" the Minister said.

Senators congratulated Pejanović Đurišić on the historical success of Montenegro to become the 29th member of the Alliance. Being impressed by the results achieved in a relatively short period of time, they all agreed that Montenegro is obviously truly committed to meeting criteria arising from the Euro-Atlantic integration agenda. They expressed their readiness to provide, in the final stage, their support during the ratification process of Montenegro's Accession Protocol, with a view to effectuating NATO enlargement policy finally.
The Minister also visited two "think tank" organizations. On that occasion, she held talks with representatives of "German Marshall" Fund, Derek Chollet and Karen Donfried, as well as with representative of the "Center for a New American Security" Julie Smith. Pejanović Đurišić extended her gratitude for the support continuously provided to both Montenegro and the Ministry of Defence. She expressed expectation and intention of continuing communication and cooperation on issues that will continue to be of importance for Montenegro, which has been accepted with pleasure by collocutors.

Besides Minister Prof. Pejanović Đurišić, PhD the meetings were also attended by Prof. Srđan Darmanović, PhD, Ambassador of Montenegro to the United States, M.Sc. Sanela Đozgić, the MoD Chief of the Cabinet, LTC Velibor Bakrač, Defence Attaché of Montenegro in the United States and Dubravka Lalović, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of Montenegro in the United States.