Albanian-born candidate for ambassador to Montenegro in front of the Senate mentions “the risk representing the government”

Aliu said that if this happens, he will be the first Albanian-American in history to serve as the ambassador of the United States.

He said the 2023 elections gave Montenegro a historic opportunity to speed up its path towards integration into the European Union, but “We also need to be clear of the risks the ruling coalition represents and remain engaged, with practical solutions, to help Montenegro take its rightful place in the EU”.

Listing his work priorities if confirmed, Ali said “Russia's brutal fight in Ukraine underlines urgency for Montenegro to speed up fundamental reforms for EU membership, democratic development, sustainability and progress”.

He said it would help an inter-institution effort “to promote rule of law, fight against entrenched corruption and respect for human rights, which will provide tangible results for Montenegrin citizens, all in line with the goals of national security in the United States”.

Aliu said that among his priorities would be deepening ties between NATO and Montenegro, which became a member of the alliance seven years ago.

The other priority, he said, is strengthening Montenegro's resistance to malicious actors who want to harm democracy and its institutions.

“If confirmed, I will work with inter-institution partners and the European Union to fight disinformation, support civil society and reinforce American messages about transatlantic values.“, Aliu said, stressing that the next priority will be support for Montenegro's economic progress through renewed US-Montenegrin economic dialogue to strengthen the investment environment.

“It is essential that the United States and the EU help secure sustainable investment alternatives from China, especially in essential infrastructure”, Aliu said, stressing that Montenegro is at a crossroads.

“The country needs efficient democratic institutions cemented under the Euro-Atlantic framework and dedicated to the welfare of all its citizens”, Aliu added, stressing that the United States is an ally of Montenegro in building a better tomorrow as part of NATO and the EU.

Ali is a career diplomat in American Foreign Service. Before he began serving as a workaholic at the American Embassy in Budapest, he served as deputy head of the American Mission in Poland.

Earlier, he was an American Consul General in Krakov, while earlier he had served as deputy head of the American Embassy in Podgorica.

Among other tasks, Aliu had conducted the office of official for public relations at the American Embassy in Tirana.