MEPs: Montenegro encourages Western Balkans EU integration, reassures EU of enlargement policy

Podgorica, Montenegro (17 May, 2011) – European parliamentarians officially visiting Podgorica said at their meeting with Prime Minister Igor Lukšić said about EU integration that “Montenegro’s role could be of great importance for the entire region” as it could be the next success story in the Western Balkans and thus be an “incentive to the EU member-states to continue supporting the enlargement policy” and also to the region to “remain persistent in its EU aspirations.”

MEPs concluded that Montenegro is “on the right track to meeting European recommendations,” and underlined their firm support to Montenegro to continue with its efforts.

PM Lukšić agreed that Montenegro’s success may serve as an example to other countries, adding that Montenegro’s goal is to send a message of its commitment to the EU and the region by becoming an EU member-state on the merits of its achievements. “Consensus on EU integration unites the whole of Montenegrin society. Accordingly, the Government will continue its efforts on completing activities arising from the Action Plan with the view to opening accession negotiations soon,” Prime Minister Lukšić concluded.