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There can be no unreasonable delay before opening ...
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There can be no unreasonable delay before opening negotiations with Montenegro, says EP Rapporteur on Montenegro
Published on: Oct 16, 2010 • 12:05 AM Author: Bureau
Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and member of the European Parliament and rapporteur on Montenegro Charles Tannock met in Podgorica on Friday, October 15, for talks on Montenegro’s EU membership aspirations.
“I have told Mr Tannock that we expect a positive opinion from the European Commission in early November,” the Prime Minister told the press after the meeting.
He explained that by ‘positive opinion’ he meant a recommendation for Montenegro to become an EU candidate country and a recommendation, conditional or not, for the opening of EU accession talks in the near future.
“The way we see it, that is the only positive opinion, as that is the only way to create conditions for the development of the institutional arrangement between Montenegro and the European Union.”
“I also informed Mr Tannock of what has been done so far in terms of the political, legal and economic reform, which is why I believe Montenegro has deserved the candidate status and why it deserves to have a designated date for the opening of accession talks,” said the Prime Minister
He noted that the rule of law and the fight against crime and corruption were the most important issues for the democratic and economic development of every country in the region.
By the same token, Prime Minister Djukanovic stressed the importance of regional cooperation in addressing those issues.
Mr Tannock said that the EU should make no demands for an unreasonable delay before opening negotiations with Montenegro, adding that Macedonia’s situation cannot be a general model for the enlargement process.
He also underlined the importance of judging every aspiring EU member on their own merits, rather than all grouped together.
“And in the regatta, which I think will now ensue, Montenegro remains a good news story. Even if that generates a little bit of envy from one or two of your neighbors.”
The EP rapporteur explained that his report on Montenegro will be drawn up in response to the opinion from the Commission and the recommendations they make to the Council of Ministers in early November.
“I have told Mr Tannock that we expect a positive opinion from the European Commission in early November,” the Prime Minister told the press after the meeting.
He explained that by ‘positive opinion’ he meant a recommendation for Montenegro to become an EU candidate country and a recommendation, conditional or not, for the opening of EU accession talks in the near future.
“The way we see it, that is the only positive opinion, as that is the only way to create conditions for the development of the institutional arrangement between Montenegro and the European Union.”
“I also informed Mr Tannock of what has been done so far in terms of the political, legal and economic reform, which is why I believe Montenegro has deserved the candidate status and why it deserves to have a designated date for the opening of accession talks,” said the Prime Minister
He noted that the rule of law and the fight against crime and corruption were the most important issues for the democratic and economic development of every country in the region.
By the same token, Prime Minister Djukanovic stressed the importance of regional cooperation in addressing those issues.
Mr Tannock said that the EU should make no demands for an unreasonable delay before opening negotiations with Montenegro, adding that Macedonia’s situation cannot be a general model for the enlargement process.
He also underlined the importance of judging every aspiring EU member on their own merits, rather than all grouped together.
“And in the regatta, which I think will now ensue, Montenegro remains a good news story. Even if that generates a little bit of envy from one or two of your neighbors.”
The EP rapporteur explained that his report on Montenegro will be drawn up in response to the opinion from the Commission and the recommendations they make to the Council of Ministers in early November.
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