COWEB pleased with Montenegro's achievements, Government works hard to finalise meeting EU targets

Podgorica, Montenegro (23 June, 2011) -- At today's meeting with Prime Minister Igor Lukšić, representatives of EU’s Working Party on Western Balkans (COWEB) positively assessed Montenegro’s track record in implementing reforms and voiced readiness to assist the county in its EU bid.

"Our impression from Montenegro is that there is awareness of the importance of European integration and we are also pleased to see concrete results in all areas,” the COWEB representatives emphasised.

Prime Minister Igor Lukšić reiterated the Government’s full commitment to both meeting European targets and implementing strategic policies that should improve the quality of life of the Montenegrin citizens.

"We are devoted to fulfilling the European Commission’s recommendations and we are in the middle of meeting our obligations, and what follows is the implementation of these commitments in the Assembly by the end of July”, the PM remarked.

PM Lukšić informed the COWEB representatives that the Montenegrin government pays special attention to those segments that need more progress, such as the fight against corruption and organised crime, judiciary reform, improvement of the status of vulnerable groups and promotion of human rights.

" There is a social and political consensus in Montenegro on the continuation of EU integration, which is an additional incentive for the Government in meeting these objectives. At the same time”, the Prime Minister continued, “the messages about the continuation of the enlargement process and the decision to brings the negotiations with Croatia to an end, are the impetus for our citizens, but also for all the countries of the region."