Montenegro plays a leading role in defending the stability and security of the Western Balkan region. The country’s courage amid Russian pressure inspires the world, said US Vice President Mike Pence at a formal dinner in Gorica Villa in Podgorica.
“Thank you for the warm welcome that my wife and I have experienced upon our arrival in Montenegro. It is a great honour for me to be in your wonderful country and to celebrate the excellent relations between the people of Montenegro and the people of the United States. I am particularly honoured to be the first US vice president visiting Montenegro,” Pence told President Filip Vujanovic, Parliament Speaker Ivan Brajovic and Prime Minister Dusko Markovic.
At the dinner hosted by Markovic, Pence conveyed the greetings of US President Donald Trump.
“This is a tangible sign of our commitment to Montenegro as the newest member of NATO. It was my privilege to meet with you the Prime Minister during your visit to the White House, exactly on the day when Montenegro joined NATO. The President and I congratulated you then and we congratulate you once again now. Congratulations on NATO membership show that we appreciate a strong alliance and friendship that is considerably older than your relatively short time in the most powerful and successful defence organisation in the world. America is honoured to celebrate our relations with strong and free citizens of Montenegro. I assure you that I am here as a proof of the fact that America has no small partners but only has strong partners. And I believe that my presence here today is just the first step,” added Pence.
At the end of his toast, he pointed out Montenegro’s role in the Western Balkans region.
“I thank you for hosting the tomorrow’s Adriatic Charter Summit and your county’s leading role in defending the stability and security of the Western Balkans. Your courage, particularly amid Russian pressure, inspires the world and I congratulate you on that. Cheers to our alliance and our friendship, let it be deeper and deeper; to even closer relations between the peoples of Montenegro and America in independence and freedom. Cheers to the future,” he said.
According to the President of Montenegro Filip Vujanovic, it is a great honour and privilege to welcome the Vice President of the United States and his delegation.
“I highly appreciate the traditional friendship between Montenegro and the United States. I am proud to say that Montenegro is a member of NATO and that our ally is stronger than ever. President Donald Trump said that we share common values and we will never give up on them. By strengthening these values, we will make our partnership even stronger,” Vujanovic said toasting to the prosperity of America, to the friendship between the two countries, as well as to Vice President and his family. May God bless the friendship between Montenegro and the United States,” Vujanovic said.
US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife arrived this afternoon at the Podgorica airport.
Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic and his wife greeted the Pences. The American and Montenegrin anthems were played.
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.
