Yee: Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo must take care of Russia

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the interview for Podgorica daily “Vijesti”, as examples of successful co-operation between Washington and Brussels with the region in the preceding year, listed Montenegro's membership in NATO, the democratic transfer of power, renewed commitment to reforms in Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro towards the European Union and judicial reform in Albania, reports “Beta”, Periscopi broadcasting.

“However, governments in the region can and should move increasingly to 2018, including politics and profit from opportunities provided by international partners”, said Hoyt Bryan Yee.

The region's government, he said, should resist the false friendship of some foreign actors who ignore international law or oppose the western orientation of the Balkans”.

In that sense, the US official mentioned Russia. For example, Russia has shown its readiness to intervene in the elections, undermining key Western institutions such as NATO and the EU, using energy supplies as political weapons and weakening confidence in democracy and the free market. To help our partners strengthen resistance to such a bad impact, including strengthening police and judicial institutions, fighting energy supply and promoting sustainable economic growth and Euro-Atlantic integration”, he said.

He told Montenegro's opposition to return to the Assembly because it is the best “ways to represent citizens' interests”.

The current political situation hinders Montenegro's progress towards European integration, supported by most Montenegrin citizens... It is time for ruling and opposition parties to find a way to work together to resolve some of the country's urgent challenges, including strengthening the economy and to ensure that new Montenegrin citizens do not leave the country,” he said.

Part of the opposition in Montenegro boycotts the Parliament's work and does not recognise the results of parliamentary elections since October 2016./Periscopi/