U.S. Supports Montenegro To Become Member of NATO

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton United States Wednesday expressed support for the U.S. in Montenegro efforts to become NATO members as the Balkan country's continued political reform.

Condoleezza Rice was "promised U.S. support for Montenegro to be an integral part of the European-Atlantic community while standing near the Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic who was visiting the United States.

"I offer the U.S. support for Montenegro a number of reforms in the field of legal norms of NATO and the European Union wants," Hillary said in Washington.

He congratulated Montenegro on the country's entry in NATO's Membership Action Plan last month, a precursor of full membership, and thanks to the prime minister over his government's commitment to send infantry troops joined the NATO-led forces in Afghanistan.

Hillary hopes to meet PM Djukanovic invitation to visit Montenegro on one day.

Djukanovic said that "I want to announce with certainty that Montenegro will become a new member of NATO" while the government's intention to deliver increased legal norms.

"We keep this promise made to improve the quality of life of our citizens and accept the goals of Europe and Europe-Atlantic ... as soon as possible," he said through a translator.

"I want to emphasize on this occasion also that Montenegro is and will remain a responsible partner and trusted for the U.S. and EU in dealing with problems that are still not settled in the Balkans," he said.

"And we also will work closely with our partners in other areas outside our region, starting with Afghanistan," he said.

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