03 April 2019 - On the first day of his working visit to the United States, Foreign Affairs Minister Srđan Darmanović met with Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker. The meeting agreed that bilateral and allied cooperation within NATO is excellent, pointing out the importance of dynamic maintaining political contacts at a high level. Furthermore, the officials exchanged views about current events and in the Western Balkans, modalities for boosting mutual trust and future stability of regional opportunities.
Montenegrin Chief of Diplomacy had separate meetings with members of the House of Representatives and the Senate in Washington.
At a meeting with Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs of Representatives, Congressman Eliot Engel, Minister of Foreign Affairs Darmanović emphasised that regional cooperation is one of the foreign policy priorities and pointed to the numerous activities taken in the direction of its full affirmation. He highlighted that regional cooperation encourages and directs the dynamics of the EU path and represents a significant mechanism in resolving remaining open issues in the region.
Congressman Eliot congratulated Montenegro on the previous progress and very significant role to provide and further strengthen stability and security in the region.
Foreign Minister Darmanović also spoke with NATOˈs Assembly’s Defense Chairman and Security Committee and Vice-President Congressman Michael Turner. Regarding the progress of the North Macedonia in Euro - Atlantic integration and resolving decades of old name disputes, Congressman Turner emphasised that acquiring full membership of Montenegro paved the path for the enlargement of the Alliance. Minister Darmanović repeated that Montenegro as the newest member firmly advocates for open door policy and more significant presence of NATO in the region, especially in terms of strengthening stability and security and thereby improving conditions for further economic and overall development.
Meeting with Congressman Doug Lamborn praised constructive engagement, active role and commitment of Montenegro to Allied goals and activities and highlighted mutual interest for resuming substantive and intensive cooperation between the two countries.
At the meeting with Senator Ron Johnson, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and the Subcommittee on Europe in the US Senate, Minister Darmanović once again pointed to Montenegro’s commitment to building a more stable and more prosperous region. Senator Ron Johnson said that Montenegro has recognised the importance of fostering the Alliance's values, and that its role in the Western Balkans region was encouraging. He also reiterated the strong commitment of the United States to continuing with a strong presence in the Western Balkans.
