Washington: European and Euro-Atlantic integration of region has no alternative

Washington, USA (22 March 2017) -- During the second day of his working visit to the United States, Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović met with Acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs at the State Department Thomas Shannon.

The officials exchanged their views on the current challenges in the Western Balkans, as well as the modalities for strengthening the regional security in order to create conditions for sustainable stability and prosperity of the region.

The Acting Undersecretary Shannon pointed to the progress that Montenegro has made in the field of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, noting that these processes were a key driver of reform and democratic transformation of society. He repeated the commitment of the United States to continue to provide strong support and stressed that he expects the US Senate to end the procedure of ratification very soon, as well as Montenegro to contribute to the common allied objectives as a full member of the Alliance.

Minister Darmanović said that Montenegro will continue to implement reforms, remaining dedicated and determined to pursue its European and Euro-Atlantic agenda, which is not directed against anyone, but is solely guided by the best interests of the state and nation.

Pointing to the events before and on the day of parliamentary elections and circumstances that were aimed at the violent overthrow of the Government and a terrorist attack, the Minister said that the Montenegrin institutions reacted adequately and promptly and managed to prevent a planned negative scenario. As he stated, Montenegro proved it has the capacity to deal with an internal and external security challenges.

He thanked the United States for the support in the final stage of integration into the North Atlantic Alliance, repeating the expectation that the Protocol will be ratified soon.

During the meeting with Congressman Michael Turner, Minister Darmanović expressed satisfaction with the strategic partnership between the two countries. Current parliamentary cooperation is a very successful and content, he said. He thanked the US Congress for the continued support in the implementation of Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic agenda, especially for the personal contribution of the Congressman Turner to the finalisation of the ratification procedure.

The officials stressed the expectation that the US Senate and the United States will once again confirm commitment to the regional stability and send a clear message that Montenegro is a part of the community of transatlantic values.

They also discussed the political and security situation in Montenegro and the region, as well as events on the election day and current results of the investigation.

Along with the Foreign Ministers of Albania and Croatia, Ditmir Bushati and Ivo Davor, in the format of the Adriatic Trilateral, Minister Darmanović was the guest participant in a Panel, sponsored by the Atlantic Council of the United States, entitled “Safe South East Europe: a new model for progress in the Balkans”.

During exposure, the Minister said that the region currently faces serious challenges and stagnation, paving the way for the strengthening of political populism and anti-European rhetoric, which ultimately makes it less resistant to the external actions aimed at destabilisation and change of its European and Euro-Atlantic course.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs