DPM Bečić receives U.S. Ambassador Judy Rising Reinke on a farewell visit

Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defence, Fight against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Bečić yesterday received on a farewell visit the Ambassador of the United States of America, H.E. Judy Rising Reinke.

During the meeting, Bečić expressed his gratitude for the long-standing, open and partnership-based cooperation, emphasizing that the meeting marked only the formal conclusion of the Ambassador’s mandate, while friendship, mutual respect and trust remain lasting values.

We had the privilege of cooperating for nearly seven years during a period marked by some of the most significant historical processes of contemporary Montenegro. It was a time of democratic maturation of the state, strengthening of institutions, building of the rule of law system, and further consolidation of the strategic partnership with the United States, Bečić stated.

He underlined that Ambassador Reinke served during the years of Montenegro’s first peaceful and democratic transfer of power, the country’s greatest progress on its European path, as well as the further strengthening of its credibility within NATO.

Special emphasis was placed on the Ambassador’s contribution to improving security and institutional cooperation between the two countries, as well as her strong support for reforms in the security sector aimed at an uncompromising fight against all forms of crime. Bečić stressed that this period was marked by the most intensive fight against organized crime and corruption in Montenegro’s history.

The Ambassador of the United States thanked Deputy Prime Minister Bečić for the constructive cooperation.

The interest of the United States is a stable and democratic Montenegro that consistently advances the goals of its citizens, particularly in a year of crucial importance for the process of European integration. Further progress in strengthening the rule of law, especially within Chapters 23 and 24, is of decisive importance for finalizing accession negotiations with the European Union, the Ambassador said.

She also emphasized that the development of the rule of law is of direct importance to U.S. investors and companies, which recognize such an environment as a safe and reliable partnership framework.

Deputy Prime Minister Bečić thanked the Ambassador for her friendly remarks, noting that the essence of responsible politics lies in building bridges and preserving political stability, which represents the foundation for implementing reforms and continuing development.

There are values and issues on which there can be no compromise – the continuation of a determined fight against organized crime and corruption, cleansing the system of illicit influences, strengthening institutions, and the successful completion of our European path. Despite the difficult situation we inherited, numerous reforms have been implemented, personnel, operational and normative deficits are being addressed, digitalization and modernization processes are underway, the system provides full support and autonomy to professionals, and, in accordance with the law, compromised individuals are being removed, while dedicated efforts continue toward building a resilient, professional and credible security sector, Bečić emphasized, concluding by thanking Ambassador Reinke for the quality cooperation and wishing her success in all future endeavors.