BELGRADE, Serbia

Montenegro's Prime Minister Milojko Spajic reiterated his country's desire to be a member of the European Union.

"We are focused on the road to Brussels ... Montenegro should be a full member of the EU, period. We want to be a reliable partner to NATO allies," Spajic said in a joint press conference with US Special Representative for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar in the capital Podgorica.

According to Spajic, Escobar expressed US support for Montenegro on its European path.

“America's support for the economy and development is crucial. I expect more American and European investments in that direction," he said.

In late February, Oliver Varhelyi, the EU commissioner responsible for enlargement and neighborhood, said that Montenegro is the most advanced candidate country in the EU's accession negotiations.

Escobar, for his part, said that Montenegro took important steps during Spajic’s term as prime minister.

"Montenegro and most of the leaders of this country have shown a great vision in directing the country. I thank you for all that. Every country that joins the EU is more prosperous and democratic ... Russia's malign influence in the region is very serious," he added.

Escobar also met with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic.

After declaring its independence in 2006, Montenegro made its official membership application to the EU in December 2008, and received "candidate country" status in December 2010.

Montenegro started accession negotiations on June 29, 2012, and is expected to become the next member of the EU.

The country, which signed the first official document with NATO (Partnership for Peace Framework Document) on Dec. 14, 2006, received the status of NATO's 29th member on June 5, 2017.