Donfried: Montenegro to fight corruption and demand responsibility from Russia

“If no work is done to resolve this issue, Montenegro’s progress and democracy will continue to suffer, while EU membership will remain only at the level of aspirations.”said Donfried.

The visit of the senior US official to Podgorica was organized on the first working day of the new Government of Montenegro, which was elected at the session of the Assembly, on April 28.

Donfried, as reported on the US Embassy in Podgorica’s Twitter account, said the United States expects to work with the Government to ensure Montenegro’s progress on the Euro-Atlantic path, including accelerating EU membership, strengthening NATO membership, and promoting inclusive and civil society.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic said the focus is on the rule of law, regional co-operation and investment.

During the conversation with the newly elected Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro, Donfried said that it is expected that all MPs will participate fully in the work of the Assembly, to resolve difficult issues:

“Including improving the economy, fighting corruption and calling Russia to account for the brutal war against Ukraine.”

Recall that the former government of Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic approved sanctions against Russia in early April, which freeze the property and economic resources of some Russian citizens and companies in Montenegro and ban the work of Russian state media.

Earlier, on March 4, flights were banned for all Russian aircraft, prompting Montenegro to join EU members who closed their airspace to air traffic with Russia in response to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. .

Parliament Speaker Danijela Djurovic said she was confident that Montenegro would continue to respect its European and Euro-Atlantic path, and expressed the new Government’s strong commitment to working diligently to meet the conditions for EU membership.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the case of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and the possible consequences for the stability of the region. “President ururoviiq expressed her gratitude for the fact that we have additional security as a member of the NATO alliance,” the Montenegrin Assembly said in a statement, adding that Donfried noted the importance of starting a parliamentary dialogue on key appointments in prosecutor and judiciary, as well as to reach a broad consensus on the reform of electoral legislation.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar also attended the talks.

With their visit to Montenegro, Donfried and Escobar conclude their five-day visit to the Western Balkans, which began on Monday in Kosovo, followed by Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as northern Macedonia and Albania.

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