The US Assistant Secretary of State, James O’Brien, said that Montenegro is a “strong partner of NATO” and expressed the belief that the Montenegrin Government can initiate a deeper European and transatlantic integration.

O’Brien was welcomed on Monday in Podgorica by the Montenegrin Prime Minister, Milojko Spajic.

Previously, he also met with the high and special prosecutor of Montenegro.

“I am convinced of Montenegro’s commitment to the European path. The fact that prosecutors are operating at full capacity is a major achievement of recent governments. The institutions built will work for the benefit of the citizens”, said O’Brien.

On January 27, the Assembly of Montenegro elected Milorad Markovic as the top state prosecutor – five years after the position was held by the acting.

The European Commission assessed his appointment as vital to the rule of law.

Spajic said that the focus of his conversation with the American official was the economy. He said he expects the American economy to be much more interested in the Montenegrin market.

“Montenegro cannot move forward without an economy like the US economy of 25 trillion euros. We appreciate our American friends who were really very constructive regarding the Montenegrin-American economic dialogue”, Spajic said.

He said that Montenegro has prepared a plan of about 90 reforms, which will bring it closer to the EU market, and added that Washington is following it.

O’Brien stated that the European Union is preparing a package for Montenegro, which should reduce financial costs, speed up transport and facilitate the work of the business community.

Spajic’s government was elected last October with the support of his Europe Now Movement, the Democrats, the pro-Serbian Socialist People’s Party, the pro-Russian Democratic Front and the Albanian national parties.

Answering the questions of journalists if he thinks that part of the Government in Montenegro is pro-Russian and pro-Serbian and how this reflects on the integrity of the country as a member of NATO, O’Brien said that the Government has presented some goals – including the European path – and that the country will remain a reliable partner of NATO.

“If necessary, we will warn the [Montenegro] Government,” said O’Brien.