Press release: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic played host to US Congressional delegation

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic received today in Podgorica the United States Congressional delegation comprising advisors and experts of the US House of Representatives and Senate.

The Prime Minister acquainted his guests with the current political and economic situation in Montenegro, activities undertaken by the Montenegrin Government, other state authorities and social institutions in pursuance of socioeconomic reform and development of an economic system based on new principles. In addition, he accentuated the importance of the continued support received from the USA in development processes, democratization and overall reform underway in the Republic.

Referring to the priorities for the following period, the Prime Minister placed emphasis on the strengthening of political and economic stability and the settlement of the statehood status. With regard to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, highest priority is given to a positive feasibility sturdy on a stabilization and association with the European Union and membership in NATOs Partnership for Peace Program. Montenegro expects support of the USA on that path.

The Montenegrin Prime Minister informed his interlocutors about relations within the State Union, Montenegros latest proposal for the rearrangement of the State Union into an alliance of independent and internationally recognized states, and the ways to achieve that solution. Referring to regional issues, he stressed that Montenegro was dedicated to the furtherance of good relations with its neighbors and fruitful regional cooperation in various fields.

The guests from the USA pointed out that the purpose of their visit was to gain direct insight into developmental and reform processes, perceive the complexity of challenges associated with transition and social changes over the past years and the progress achieved towards the European Union, Euro-Atlantic and other international structures. Those issues were also discussed during the visit of a US Senate delegation in November last year, when the USA expressed strong support and desire to help the transition process and integration into modern European and transatlantic structures.

The visit of the American delegation was initiated by the US Marshall Fund in Germany and arranged by the Belgrade-based Balkan Democracy Fund, whose representatives attended the meeting together with the US Consul General to Podgorica Hoyt Yee.