Assistant US Secretary of Defense Mrs. Elissa Slotkin: US support to Montenegro ahead of the December Ministerial meeting

Minister of Defense of Montenegro, Prof. Dr. Milica Pejanovic-Djurisic spoke today with the Assistant US Secretary of Defense, Mrs. Elissa Slotkin.

Assistant US Secretary Mrs. Slotkin has congratulated the Minister Pejanovic-Djurisic on successful conduct of activities by Montenegro within the Intensified and Focused Dialogue with NATO. The phone call from Mrs. Slotkin followed the conversation between the Vice President of the United States with the Montenegrin Prime Minister Mr. Milo Djukanovic on Monday, September 14th.

Mrs. Slotkin echoed the Vice Presidents messages, emphasizing that this is a clear sign of US support to Montenegro ahead of the December Ministerial meeting when the Allies will reach a decision on the invitation of Montenegro to NATO. Acknowledging the progress made in Montenegro within the dialogue with NATO, Mrs. Slotkin also stressed the need for Montenegro to continue with necessary reforms which will be subject of assessments of NATO Member States in December.

Minister Pejanovic-Djurisic has expressed the appreciation for continued support of Pentagon to Montenegro, assessing that the latest message of full support from Washington will add even more vigor to the steady pace of reform processes in Montenegro. Minister added that the reforms don’t stop with the invitation, and Montenegro will continue with its commitment in order to be able to take full responsibility of the NATO membership.