Hungarian PM praises Montenegro for meeting EU democracy standards, supports quick accession

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• PM Orbán calls for closer ties between Montenegro and Central Europe, as future generator of EU’s economic growth
• Hungarian companies treated fairly in Montenegro, encourage others to invest
• PM Lukšić voices concern over Parliament’s failure to adopt new election law

Podgorica, Montenegro (17 June 2011) – Prime Minister Igor Lukšić met with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán for talks on Montenegro’s EU integration and possibilities for closer economic ties between Central Europe and Montenegro.

PM Orbán said that very few countries in Europe achieved as much as Montenegro in recent years, adding that he believes Montenegro meets all European democracy standards and should benefit from the current Hungarian and upcoming Polish EU presidency, both being great advocates of EU enlargement.

The Hungarian PM noted that his country looks forward to Montenegro’s EU accession and called for closer economic cooperation between Central Europe, as the future generator of Europe’s economic growth, and Montenegro, which requires the latter to join the EU. By the same token he emphasised that “just as Montenegro needs the EU so the EU needs Montenegro.”

Referring to Hungarian investors in Montenegro, PM Orban said that they are satisfied with their treatment and encourage others to invest in Montenegro.

PM Lukšić described Hungary as the driving force behind the EU’s decision to close accession talks with Croatia, which, he said, was an important contribution to the integration of the entire region.

He announced Montenegro’s plan to meet the Action Plan commitments for the opening of EU entry talks by the end of June, while referring to the Montenegrin Parliament's failure to adopt the new election law as an alarming fact and the biggest challenge on Montenegro's EU integration path.