Press Releases 2007
Secretary Rice's Remarks With President Filip Vujanovic of the Republic of Montenegro, at the Signing Ceremony for Status of Forces Agreement
May 1, 2007
SECRETARY RICE: Good morning. I would like to warmly welcome President Vujanovic and the Montenegrin delegation. Mr. President, you're making your first ever visit to the United States as the head of the newly independent state of Montenegro.
The United States welcomes Montenegro as a friend and a partner, a partner in the increasing stability in the Balkans. Today, we are deepening our friendship by enshrining enhanced bilateral military ties. The Status of Forces Agreement that President Vujanovic and I will sign establishes a basis for United States military personnel to operate in Montenegro for mutually agreed activities.
This will allow our respective armed forces to hold regular exchanges, training exercises, and other types of cooperation in Montenegro. Mr. President, we share your aspirations for a Euro-Atlantic future for Montenegro and the United States and Montenegro are working towards that goal.
Thank you for your presence here and thank you for your friendship.
PRESIDENT VUJANOVIC: (Via interpreter.) I wish to agree with you and to confirm your view that this signing of this agreement is a confirmation of the friendship between Montenegro and the United States and a major step towards enhancement of these relations. I wish to thank the U.S. Administration and the U.S. citizens for the assistance they have provided to Montenegro in building democratic institutions, in affirming democratic values, and in reforming our economy.
And our wish to see this friendship also translated into greater presence of U.S. companies in Montenegro through their participation in privatizations in Montenegro, in greenfield investments, and in various forms of economic partnerships. The signing of the SOFA agreement sets a new basis for our relations in securities here and it is indeed fresh proof, evidence that Montenegro is a safe environment and thereby, this is a new additional invitation for new economic partnerships.
Thank you for everything you have done. Thank you.