05 September 2019 - President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović received a delegation from the United States Congress, led by Senator Lindsey Graham, who is visiting Montenegro.
President Đukanović thanked him for visiting and for the attention the United States and Congress paid to Montenegro, as well as Washington's continued support, which he said contributed significantly to maintaining peace, consolidating multiethnic harmony, strengthening democracy and implementing social reforms. He especially thanked him for his support for Montenegro's accession to NATO, which is the most important achievement of our society in recent history.
"When we were rebuilding our independence, we said that we wanted to bring Montenegro back to European and Euro-Atlantic values. We had a clear vision, and it proved to have a real strength to achieve this," said Đukanović and particularly emphasized the role of Congress in this, especially the recently deceased Senator John McCain.
President Đukanović also briefed the congressmen on the current situation in Montenegro, emphasizing commitment to the European and Euro-Atlantic value system, perseverance in defense of multiethnic democracy, continuous strengthening the rule of law and contribution to the stability of the region, as well as maintaining dynamic economic growth and improving the quality of life of people, as his office reported.
"We want to see more investors from the US and other NATO countries, aware that we are also getting new quality and standards," pointed out President of Montenegro.
The President also stressed the importance of more dynamic integration of the WB into the EU, as the most reliable guarantee of overcoming lagging behind, strengthening stability and prosperity, which is also crucial in maintaining the enthusiasm of the EU and its members for enlargement policy.
"We firmly believe that WB's place is in the EU and that the region can become an integral part of the European value system. The task of everyone in the region is to convince the EU of the importance of the integration process," Đukanović noted.
He also underlined the importance of maintaining Euro-Atlanticism and strengthening NATO, to which Montenegro, as a responsible member, will make a full contribution.
Senator Graham and other members of the delegation thanked the President for receiving with compliments on Montenegro's leadership and achievements, her ability to find her own identity that would be aligned with the West in a very problematic environment. In that sense, full readiness of the Congress to help strengthen the role of Montenegro in the region was expressed, confirming and strengthening the decisions it made and their concrete implementation. Commenting on information on activities in the area of reform and modernization of Montenegrin society, they congratulated Montenegro on all significant efforts and encouraged further progress.
All members of the delegation emphasized Senator McCain's attitude towards Montenegro, noting that this visit also had a sentimental line.
US Congressmen were also interested in further promoting the benefits of NATO membership, the influence of third parties, as well as its economic development, and expressed their readiness for full cooperation and support in this regard.
The US Congressional delegation also included the wife of Senator McCain, who, in front of the McCain Institute recently hosted by President Đukanović, praised Montenegro's consistency in the fight for human rights, anti-trafficking, and offered expert and other co-operation in order to improve further Montenegro's rating, which was gladly accepted.
Ambassador Judy Rising Reinke also participated in the meeting.
Read more news about politics in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.
