Montenegro has made significant progress in recent years towards stronger democracy and more resilient institutions, with a particularly positive contribution to NATO and a continued commitment to the European Union (EU) accession process, which enjoys broad support from citizens - assessed the outgoing United States (US) Ambassador to Podgorica, Judy Rising Reinke.
In a conversation with a group of Montenegrin journalists, she said that "this country is like a river that flows in a certain direction and progresses."
"Rivers can meander, and it may seem at that moment as if the course has changed. But this country is moving towards a stronger democracy with better, more resilient institutions within the European framework. I have been following polls for seven years and I believe that this country is actually moving faster towards a European future now," said Rising Reinke, answering the question of how she sees Montenegro today compared to the period seven years ago, when she came to Podgorica as ambassador.
She stated that there had been "disruptions" over the past seven years, which they (as the Embassy) had commented on, but that they had mostly tried to work in their own way, through American aid programs, to help Montenegro respond to every problem or crisis.
"When I arrived, it was 2018, the (EU) accession was already in full swing, but at a slow and tepid pace. In the last few years, as it became clear that the national consensus was to join the EU, even with the political debates, the government has been moving very quickly to complete the reforms, the procedures, all the technical things," said Rising Reinke.
"Differences are sometimes exploited"
Now, she added, it is up to the parliament to finally adopt the rules and laws, and then it is up to the EU member states to confirm Montenegro's entry.
"But I see acceleration and a clear direction for completing the EU accession process. I am fully confident that this government can implement the reforms and technical details in 2026," said the ambassador, adding that it will still be difficult.
The government plans to close the remaining negotiation chapters in the negotiations with the EU (21 in total) by the end of this year, so that Montenegro can become a member of the Union in 2028.
Speaking about Podgorica's relations with the US, Rising Reinke said that Montenegro generally plays a positive role, highlighting the country's key strength as multiculturalism and the ability of people of different faiths and ethnicities to function together. She assessed that differences are sometimes politically instrumentalized, but that on a personal level they are not a problem and that diversity is "Montenegro's strength" that it can bring to the European Union.
Rising Reinke, whose term ends on Friday, also sees progress in the fight against corruption in Montenegro. She adds that she is proud that American programs have helped prosecutors and judges improve their skills.
"Over time, we have helped improve courtrooms, including media coverage of major trials. We have done a lot to help Montenegro solve its own problems," she pointed out.
As she said, they know that Montenegro cares deeply about solving the problem of corruption and dismantling transnational organized crime groups, especially those operating from Montenegro. When asked whether there are individuals in Montenegro who can be sanctioned for corruption, under the new Law on Democracy and Prosperity of the Western Balkans, and if so - who they are, Rising Reinke replied that she did not know who they would be, stating that it is actually a very technical process.
She said that the regulation was adopted as part of the National Defense Act and that it will give them some more tools to fight corruption, but that they do not yet have any information about its implementation, nor what it might mean for actual programs on the ground.
The so-called Western Balkans Act, adopted in December, provides that the US President will impose sanctions, no later than 90 days from the entry into force of the regulation, on any foreigner found to be involved or to have attempted to be involved in corruption related to the Western Balkans.
She claims she is not surprised by the recall.
Rising Reinke said she was not surprised by the US president's decision. Donald Trump to recall her at the end of last year, along with about 30 other ambassadors.
"After seven years, it is time for me to move on in my career. The day I spoke with senior officials in Washington, we reached an agreement that I would end my term on January 16th and leave, and Dini Holder will take on the temporary role of chargé d'affaires until her return Nikol Section"until the administration appoints a new ambassador," she said.
She said she had no information about who would be the new ambassador to Podgorica.
"But as far as I know, the process of nominating ambassadors begins in the next few months or maybe now," she added.
When asked whether the US administration believes it has not sufficiently represented Trump's policies, as suggested in the explanation for withdrawing ambassadors from 28 countries, especially considering that they were appointed during Trump's first term, she replied that this was not the case.
"In fact, I believe I have had the full confidence of the administration throughout my tenure - both now and in previous administrations. I am a career diplomat. I have served the US government for 43 years. I have served many different administrations. And I work for the American people," she said.
When asked what her opinion was on Trump's policies, she said that the US president's goal is to make the country safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
She stated that Trump says things in a much more direct way than other politicians often do, and that people may not understand that he is conveying the will of the American people who elected him.
"And the American people really want America first. I have always worked for America and I always represent America," she underlined.
Commenting on the United States' announced withdrawal from several UN agencies, as well as from bodies such as the Venice Commission, Rising Reinke said that "particular attention was paid to those organizations that were contrary to US interests or did not promote US interests."
"Montenegro remains an ally"
Speaking about bilateral relations between the US and Montenegro before and after the 2020 elections and the removal of the three-decade-long Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) government, she said that she had not noticed any change in their approach to Montenegro and that for them, "Montenegro remained an ally with whom they continued to work on strengthening capacities."
Rising Reinke said that the United States supported Montenegro's efforts to join the EU after August 2020, that they continue to support it, and that they have seen "it accelerating."
The Ambassador states that both before and after the 2020 elections, the United States has consistently supported strengthening the rule of law, especially the judiciary, prosecution, and law enforcement, as it seeks a stable partner and the foundations of prosperity in Montenegro. She states that there have been no fundamental changes in the approach, although priorities have shifted somewhat, with the goal of Montenegro and the Western Balkans region better cooperating and progressing.
She said that the US Embassy in Podgorica had an informal election monitoring program in August 2020, where teams of usually three members went to some 50 polling stations. She says that she was an observer in Bijelo Polje and Kolašin, where she peacefully monitored the voting with official accreditation. She states that the polling stations were mostly well organized, that no fraud was observed, and any minor errors were reported and resolved. She concludes that the process was peaceful, with a solid turnout, and that after the official ODIHR findings were published, the elections were recognized as legitimate, with legitimate results.
"And I remember celebrating seeing democracy in action... I don't remember a single moment when I doubted that it was a true democratic experience. And for me, it was a personally fulfilling experience to watch those elections and see people happy to vote," said Rajnke.
"Maduro - an illegitimate leader"
When asked how she views the assessments of numerous international law experts who claim that the US action in Venezuela was a dangerous, unprecedented case and lacked a clear legal basis, she replied that the Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was an illegitimate leader and was not recognized by the United States.
"But I think what's even more important is that we're not alone in this," she said, adding that the EU didn't recognize it either.
She pointed out that the second important thing is that Maduro is "an accused drug trafficker in the United States." She recalled the statement of the US Secretary of State When Rubija - that "the goal is to see changes in Venezuela that are beneficial, first and foremost, to the United States, but also to the people of Venezuela who have suffered enormously."
Speaking about the future of NATO in light of the war in Ukraine, she said that recent summits have reaffirmed the commitment of all members to making the Alliance even stronger.
"I don't see any member that is hesitant to strengthen NATO as an institution. What will happen next - I can't speculate. I don't know if there will be changes on the horizon. What I do know is that all members now want a stronger NATO," said Reinke.
When asked whether a potential US intervention in Greenland could put NATO's future in question, she replied that their opponents were very active in the Arctic.
"I'm thinking of Russia here, and I'm thinking of China as well. It's a concern for the United States. I can tell you based on the guidelines, but I also know that this is true. But it's also a concern for the Kingdom of Denmark. It's a concern for the European Union and our allies in NATO," she claims.
The presence of Russia and China in the Arctic region, she added, affects its security and stability, and for the United States, she emphasizes, it is a matter of national defense.
"Our defenses are being hit where our adversaries have complete freedom of action," she said, recalling a recent statement by a White House representative that the United States wants to take over Greenland "because if they don't, China or Russia will take it, which is not good for the United States, not for Europe, and not for Greenland."
Rising Reinke said they are in talks about commercial or business interests in Greenland. She said 47.000 American tourists visited Greenland, which has a population of 57.000, last year.
"China and Russia are here, be careful"
Speaking about the influence of Russia and China in Montenegro and the Western Balkans, she said that "they are there" and that they are active.
"I urge you to be cautious and make sure that your partners, whoever they are, recognize your sovereign rights. And that you cooperate with partners who respect you and your interests. To ensure that the relationships you build are in line with the interests of Montenegro," she said.
She said that the NATO alliance guarantees that partners, including the United States, take into account Montenegro's interests.
"I don't know whether Russia or China has Montenegro's best interests at heart. That's up to Montenegro to decide," said Rising Reinke.
Montenegro less attractive for corporate headquarters
Responding to the question of what American companies see as the main advantages of Montenegro and what as obstacles, Rising Reinke said that Montenegro, as a small market, is less attractive for large corporate headquarters, but that it has strong assets - natural beauty, a solid and creative workforce.
He cites the need for a more stable and predictable business environment as a key obstacle, because, he explains, American companies will only invest more when they are convinced of the profitability and security of their investments.
"I really think Montenegro has the potential to be an exceptional location. Your energy resources are quite enviable... There is land available for development," she said.
Montenegrins are the most hospitable and warm-hearted people
Rajzing Rajnke assessed that Montenegrins were the most hospitable and warm-hearted people she had ever lived among.
"That's what I'm going to tell the Americans," she said.
She also emphasized that young people are Montenegro's advantage, because "they want to live in their own country."
"And how incredible it is, your youth really love your country," said Rising Reinke.
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