Press release: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets member of the US Congress House of Representatives Eliot Engel with associates

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met today in Podgorica with member of the House of Representatives of the US Congress Eliot Engel and his associates.

The Prime Minister acquainted his guests with the current political and economic developments in Montenegro, characterizing the political situation as stable and macroeconomic trends as favorable. By the same token, he recognized the importance of the fact that several major infrastructure projects were to be implemented this year, with an upward trend in foreign investment, increasingly manifested in the form of direct inflow of foreign private capital.

In addition, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of the continued support from the United States of America to development processes, strengthening of democratic institutions and overall reforms conducted in Montenegro. Particularly important was attached to the support provided in the preparation of the general reform agenda, representing an ambitious documents and a thorough review of Montenegros development needs and plans by 2007.

The two parties found their bilateral relations to be characterized by great understanding and readiness to promote the dialogue and specific forms of cooperation, above all economic. The recent decision on preferential tariffs made by the US President was said to constitute a strong incentive in that respect.

Referring to the settlement of Montenegros final statehood status, Congressman Engel observed that Montenegro had the same rights as any other former Yugoslav republic and that its citizens had the right to self-determination, allowing them to decide their political future in a transparent and democratic process, observing international practices and standards.