Belgian PM sees no obstacles to EU granting candidate status to Montenegro

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met with his Belgian counterpart Iv Leterm for bilateral talks in Brussels on Wednesday. The two Prime Ministers discussed the European integration of Montenegro, bilateral relations and signed an agreement on police cooperation.

PM Leterm congratulated PM Djukanovic on the European Commission’s positive opinion on Montenegro’s readiness for EU membership and underlined that he believes there are no obstacles to Montenegro receiving EU candidate status and the date for negotiation talks. He welcomed the progress Montenegro has made and the EC has recognised, adding that it will contribute to the receiving of the candidate status.

PM Djukanovic thanked his counterpart for the continued support of Belgium in all areas, which has further been confirmed by Belgium’s pledge to send flood relief. He expressed appreciation, in particular, for the Belgium support to the integration process, and reiterated Montenegro’s readiness to meet all the requirements set forth by the EU. Finally, PM Djukanovic voiced hope that the date for the launch of Montenegro’s EU accession talks will be set in 2011.

The PMs agreed that the bilateral relations between Montenegro and Belgium are excellent, but that they could be improved, especially in the areas of economy and investment.