During their meeting on Wednesday, Stevo Pendarovski and Milo Gjukanovic welcomed the expected visit of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Macedonia and Montenegro, and declared it a “return of the US to the region”.

We obviously need American and European help and support so we can resolve the remaining problems, to increase our stability and implement reforms toward the European and Euro-Atlantic system of values. In this regard, we are encouraged by the enhanced attention the US administration pays to our region and this will help quickly overcome the inherited problems, the Montenegrin President said.

Pompeo is in Italy, which will be followed by visits to Montenegro, Macedonia and Greece. Pendarovski said that the Secretary’s visit will give recognition to the Euro-Atlantic dedication of the countries in the region.

I hope this means that the US is making a big comeback to the region, given that all the major challenges since the independence of “our country” up until today were resolved with great support from the United States. I’m certain that the remaining issues which are very important and can lead to regional destabilization if left unresolved can be solved if the US is directly involved, Pendarovski said, hinting about the expected diplomatic push over the Kosovo issue.