Ban Ki-moon visits Montenegro

 United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon continued his tour of Southeast European countries on Sunday by visiting Montenegro.

Ban Ki-Moon, who arrived in a two-day visit to Montenegro from Croatia, held talks with Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic in Cetinje and told him he was aware that this region had a difficult past, but that one needed to focus on the future.

I arrived from Croatia two hours ago. I know that this region had been exposed to great temptations and suffering, but the focus of my visit is not the past, it is the future, the UN secretary general told the press.

You will always have a partner in the UN, notably when it comes to crucial issues, such as the protection of human rights, the solving of the issue of refugees and sustainable development, Ban Ki-moon told Montenegrin citizens. He also praised Montenegro's achievements in building a multiethnic society and political stability.

He said Montenegro was a politically stable country and that the UN supported its efforts to meet the millennium objectives. Ban Ki-moon thanked Montenegro for participating in UN peace mission and Vujanovic said Montenegro was still present in all UN peace missions.

Vujanovic told the press that Ban Ki-moon's visit was a great acknowledgement to Monteengro's achievements.

The UN secretary general also held talks with Montenegrin Foreign Minister Nebojsa Kaludjerovic.

On Monday he is scheduled to meet Montenegrin Prime Minister Igor Luksic and Parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic.