President Ranko Krivokapić had meetings with Ms Seleste Walander, a Special Assistant to President Barack Obama and Senior Director for Russia and Eurasia in the National Security Council of the United States of America.

The interlocutors have exchanged opinions regarding the intensified and focused dialogue by which Montenegro is meeting conditions for receiving an invitation for full-fledged membership to the NATO until the end of 2015. They jointly noted the progress, but also pointed out to the fields that additional effort should be paid to.  

Mr Krivokapić and Ms Walander underlined that the field of the rule of law and public support were top priorities that Montenegro should expect.

In the capacity of President Emeritus of the OSCE, Mr Ranko Krivokapić and Ms Selest Walander considered the issue of the Ukrainian crisis but also activities that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been implementing through Vienna Process with the aim of de-escalation of the crisis.

President Krivokapić also spoke with Senator Mr Roger Wicker, host of the Prayer Breakfast, who is also a Chairperson of the First Committee in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Senator Wickers showed intention to continue supporting Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Montenegro, considering Montenegro to be an important factor in stabilisation and cooperation in the Western Balkan region. The interlocutors, as members of the core leadership of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, considered issues that would be on the agenda of the OSCE PA Winter Session in the med-February in Vienna. Senator Wickers fully supported President Krivokapić’s efforts within the Vienna Process, affirming parliamentary diplomacy, as a factor for solving the Ukrainian crisis.

President Ranko Krivokapić also met Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Mr Hoyt Brian Yee.

The interlocutors jointly assessed that there has been a progress since the last NATO Summit in Vales, but when it comes to the rule of law additional measurable and continuous results must be achieved, with an emphasis to final verdicts and fight against corruption at all levels.

It is expected that citizens of Montenegro are fully and more intensively informed on advantages and security but also economic security that they will feel by membership to the NATO Alliance. Improvements in the field of reform of the security sector and Military of Montenegro must be made with the continuation of efforts which will make Montenegro permanently reliable partner to the NATO Alliance. 

President Krivokapić tomorrow will have a meeting with President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Congressman Mr Michael Turner.

President will also gather members of Montenegrin Caucus, composed of 47 representatives of the American Congress supporting Montenegro in this house. Additionally, President Krivokapić will hold a lecture at the prestigious German Marshall Fund, which will be devoted to transatlantic cooperation.