US Senator Johnson in Montenegro: Continuation of cooperation within NATO structure

Podgorica, Montenegro (29 May 2017) – Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Interior and Foreign Policy Zoran Pažin met earlier today with chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Ron Johnson, who is paying an official visit to Montenegro.

Senator Johnson said that it was a privilege to chair the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations during the adoption of Resolution on Montenegro’s NATO Accession Protocol. He encouraged Montenegro to continue implementing the requirements within the NATO membership. The US remains committed to the region of Southeast Europe, senator Johnson stressed, adding that the country is willing to provide continuing support to Montenegro in the reform process. Having in mind that third parties attempted to influence the political situation in the US, senator Johnson voiced understanding for the security challenges Montenegro has been dealing with in the NATO accession process.

DPM Pažin thanked Mr Johnson for his personal contribution to the ratification of Montenegro’s Accession Protocol, adding that Montenegro perceives its membership in NATO as an opportunity to pursue development path with a guaranteed level of stability. He informed senator Johnson that Montenegro will stand firmly on the ground after the membership in NATO, with no illusions that security challenges will be stopped in the coming period. 

The two officials agreed that the intensity of geopolitical intentions of third parties won’t be reduced, but only manifested in different forms. In that regard, DPM Pažin underlined that Montenegro will continue shaping its own development path, voicing the country’s continuing commitment to integration into the club of the most developed Western countries along with the support of the US and other partner countries. 

The two officials also agreed on the importance of the regional stability, stressing that all countries should be committed to adopting unique democratic values.