Escobar: Montenegro and the United States are not only friends but also allies

Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazović met today with US Deputy Assistant Secretary overseeing policy towards the countries of the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar in Washington, D.C.

Abazović and Escobar discussed the overall political situation and the approach of the new US administration towards the Western Balkans.

Stating that he will visit Montenegro soon, US Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar pointed out that the United States and Montenegro are not only friends, but also allies.

Abazović stressed that Montenegro remains strongly committed to its Euro-Atlantic path and strongly advocates that the Western Balkans become a full member of the European Union. In that sense, Abazović pointed out that Montenegro wants the best neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans and to change region's international reputation.

DPM Abazović said that the Western Balkans lack freshness and that the region needs new leaders who will change the focus from national and religious topics to the economy and topics that are of vital importance to the population.

Speaking about the current political situation in Montenegro, Abazović emphasised the results that Montenegro has achieved in the fight against organised crime and corruption, especially in combating drug and cigarette smuggling, stating that the new government has encountered many problems that are the product of a corrupt thirty-year rule.

Deputy Prime Minister Abazović and Minister of Foreign Affairs Đorđe Radulović are paying a working visit to the United States, where they will hold talks with several senior US government officials.