US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife arrived this afternoon at the Podgorica airport.
Pratite naš Facebook uživo da vidite dolazak potpredsjednika Pensa #VPinEUROPE #VPinMontenegro pic.twitter.com/Iq7a7xgEty
— US Embassy Podgorica (@USEmbassyMNE) August 1, 2017
Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic and his wife greeted the Pences. The American and Montenegrin anthems were played.
The ceremony involves greeting the dignitaries, greeting US Vice President’s wife with a bouquet of flowers, playing of the US and Montenegrin anthems, a review of a military honour guard of the Montenegrin Armed Forces and saluting the flag of Montenegro.
After the formal greeting at the Podgorica airport, PM Markovic will host a dinner for the US Vice President and his delegation.
When it comes to Montenegrin officials, the dinner will be attended by Prime Minister Markovic, President Filip Vujanovic, Parliament Speaker Ivan Brajovic, Deputy Prime Minister Rafet Husovic, Foreign Minister Srdjan Darmanovic, Defence Minister Predrag Boskovic, Montenegrin Ambassador to the United States Nebojsa Kaludjerovic and chief political adviser to PM Sasa Erakovic.
Pence’s arrival is be accompanied by unprecedented security measures.
In addition to Montenegrin flags, the streets of Podgorica are decorated with US flags as well, marking the route along which the US Vice President passed.
In front of the Hilton hotel, where Pence, his wife and the US delegation are staying, a fence has already been set up. Surrounding streets are closed for traffic. Numerous police officers are also noticed in the city.
Pence is the highest US official to visit Montenegro in more than a hundred years since the two countries established diplomatic relations.
At the same time, it is the first visit of the top official and first associate of US President Donald Trump to the region.
Before visiting Montenegro, Pence visited the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as Georgia.
