Press release: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met with US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg on Sunday in Kotor.

Prime Minister Djukanovic said that the partnership and friendship with the United States were extremely important to Montenegro, adding that the new US administrations increased focus on the Western Balkans was vital for the regions and Montenegros Euro-Atlantic integration. He underlined that stability was a key issue in the Western Balkans, since the countries of the region did not have the required self-regulatory instruments for its maintenance. I, therefore, see the future of all countries of the region in Euro-Atlantic integration, the Prime Minister said. He thanked the US government for the support provided to Montenegro on its path to full NATO membership. He emphasized the importance Montenegro attached to regional cooperation as a vital precondition for advancement towards EU and NATO membership.

Referring to economic cooperation between the two countries, Prime Minister Djukanovic pointed out that there was plenty of room for its development and increased presence of US investors in Montenegro. The Government of Montenegro is working intensively to reinforce legal security and promote economic freedoms, as the main requirements for attracting foreign investment, Djukanovic said.

He thanked the prominent guest for the US governments decision to open a consular department, which would enable Montenegrin citizens to obtain US visas in Podgorica.

US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg noted that his visit to Montenegro was taking place ahead of the third anniversary of Montenegros independence and commended the way in which Prime Minister Djukanovic had lead the country over the past period. He expressed the US Governments full support for Montenegros Euro-Atlantic and European course and agreed with Prime Minister Djukanovic that without NATOs involvement over the past period there would have been no stability in the Western Balkans. He conveyed the US Governments appreciation for Montenegros constructive influence on other countries of the region. We highly appreciate Montenegros readiness to participate in NATOs Mission in Afghanistan, Steinberg said.

He confirmed that the new US administration would place additional focus on the Western Balkans, as indicated by Vice President Bidens impending tour of the Balkans. In this context, Prime Minister Djukanovic and US Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg thoroughly discussed the situation in the region.

The talks were also attended by Foreign Minister Milan Rocen.