Our relations with Montenegro are based on shared history and values. Although we have a new president, our basic values and our approach did not change, Ambassador Margaret Ann Uyehara said in an interview for Dan daily.
“United States are dedicated to cooperation with their Montenegrin, Balkan and European partners in order to strengthen democratic institutions and economic development. American goal in Balkans is to support development of peaceful, prosperous and stable societies. I believe that Montenegrin membership in NATO will improve life quality of its citizens and make Balkan, and whole Europe, more safe and secure”, Uyehara said.
She explained deferment of ratification in US Senate.
“As you can imagine, the Senate is occupied with confirmations of new officials in President Trump’s administration. However, ratification of Montenegro’s Accession Protocol is still high on the list of priorities, which was confirmed with unanimous support of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on January 11th. Montenegro has strong support in the Senate and I expect the ratification to happen soon”, she said.
She commented on DF’s allegations that she was a supporter of DPS crime regime.
“DF made their attitudes very public, in a very rough manner. Political discussions that result in personal offenses have use to no one, especially citizens of Montenegro. The US support Montenegrin citizens in their path to a more prosperous future. During the last ten years, we have cooperated with individuals from all political parties that share that goal. I am proud of our strong partnership with citizens of Montenegro and I am certain our relations will develop further in the future”, Ambassador said.
She invited the opposition to return to the Parliament.
“I want to see Montenegrin politicians working together for the benefit of Montenegrin citizens. Democratic rule demands active participations of all elected officials. They need to return to the Parliament in order to secure open and honest discussion on key matters in Montenegro. Democracy demands that elected officials represent the people who have voted for them. You cannot do that if you are boycotting the Parliament. Voters need to hold their elected officials responsible for their actions”, she underlined.
Opposition announced a possibility of organizing alternative referendum on NATO membership. Uyehara said that NATO does not dictate the manner in which new members are to ratify their membership in the Alliance.
“Majority of new members did not have a referendum on this matter. Potential members are free to decide a legal manner in which to ratify the Protocol. On Government’s initiative, the vote was held in the Parliament twice already, and majority of MPs voted for NATO membership. Montenegrin officials were chosen to make important decisions, such as NATO membership, and they must consider this question in a very serious manner. There is still work to be done in order to strengthen support for NATO membership and we will continue to support Government’s efforts to explain to Montenegrin public many benefits that this membership brings”, she concluded.
