Foreign Ministry presents integration accomplishments to EU’s Working Party on Western Balkans (COWEB)

Podgorica, Montenegro (23 June 2011) – The first ever visit by a delegation of the Working Party on the Western Balkans Region (COWEB) was hosted today by Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Milan Roćen and State Secretary Slavica Milačić. The two sides talked on Montenegro’s accomplishments towards opening the EU entry talks.

Mr Roćen welcomed the fact that the COWEB’s first ever visit to Montenegro is taking place just two days since a very successful EU-Western Balkans Forum and the II Meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council in Luxembourg, where encouraging news for region’s EU bid were said.

Mr Roćen thanked the COWEB for EU’s support to the Western Balkans integration ambitions, remarking at the same time that the closure of Croatia’s accession negotiations and the “regatta principle” are the best way to promote both the region’s progress and the EU’s credibility. Mr Roćen also pointed out that Montenegro is in the final phase of completing the Action Plan (AP), adding that the Government is working diligently, in cooperation with all society’s stakeholders and the EC, on meeting the seven key priorities. He said he believes that if Montenegro would be given a negotiation start date it would be an incentive to the neighbours, just as Montenegro is encouraged by the fact that it will soon border the EU.

Montenegro knows what needs to be done, State Secretary Milačić conveyed to the COWEB, adding that the Government is deeply committed to all its tasks needed for opening the entry talks.

Ambassador of Hungary to Montenegro Tibor Csaszar and the COWEB representatives said the meeting with Montenegro’s officials has been very important for creating a clear picture of the activities and plans of Montenegro in the process of EU integration.