Today, Montenegro clearly illustrates that there are no untouchable figures and that the rule of law is a fundamental principle of this Government, stated Aleksa Bečić, Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defense, the Fight against Crime, and Internal Policy.

Bečić’s office reported that he met in Washington, at the Pentagon, with Major General Timothy Rieger, Acting Deputy Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Brigadier General Timothy Brower, Deputy Director for Strategy, Policy, Plans, and International Affairs, Brigadier General Diane Dunn, Commander of the Maine National Guard, Robert Riley, Senior Policy Advisor at the State Department for the National Guard, Colonel Andrew Chilcote, Chief of the International Affairs Division of the National Guard Bureau (J5), James Minn, Acting Chief of Staff for Policy (Europe and NATO) in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy (OSD-P), as well as Desk Officer for Greece and the Balkans, and Major Patrick Rand, Director of the Maine National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

The statement indicated that the discussions centered on the Euro-Atlantic partnership, the modernization of the defense system, the strengthening of bilateral partnerships, and regional stability.

“The European and Euro-Atlantic path constitute the bedrock of Montenegro’s security, stability, and future. Montenegro is one of 23 out of 32 NATO members that planned to allocate two percent of GDP to defense last year. I will vigorously advocate for Montenegro to continue its progress in this area in line with the recommendations of the President of the United States,” Bečić remarked.

The announcement also highlighted that Bečić “mentioned that Montenegro has already contracted the purchase of two patrol ships from France, one of which is under construction, further enhancing the capacity of the Montenegrin Navy and contributing to the collective security of the Adriatic.”

Additionally, Bečić “emphasized the significance of the partnership between Montenegro and the state of Maine, which has endured for nearly two decades, inviting Pentagon partners to visit Montenegro and jointly celebrate this important milestone.”

“He expressed gratitude for the longstanding American support in developing logistical and operational capabilities, personnel training, strengthening cybersecurity, numerous executed projects, as well as the recent acquisition of patrol boats and the modernization of the sea surveillance system,” reported Bečić’s office.

Bečić noted that in Montenegro, indictments have been confirmed or sentences passed against high-ranking officials from the prior system, including two judicial heads, the chief and special state prosecutors, two police directors, the director of the National Security Agency (ANB), and the director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK), along with many other former public officials and civil servants charged with various criminal offenses.

The statement mentioned that Rieger expressed his admiration for Bečić’s commitment.

“We greatly value everything you are doing to reinforce the land forces, enhance cybersecurity, and bolster the Army of Montenegro. Your dedication is evident, Mr. Bečić, and I wish for it to remain so. Your contributions to regional stability and the fight against crime are commendable,” stated Rieger.

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