MFA Roćen praises OSCE’s role in Montenegro’s international advancements and domestic reforms

Podgorica, Montenegro (5 July 2011) -- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an integral part of all Montenegro’s achievements and reforms, Foreign Minister Milan Roćen said following a meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Audronius Ažubalis earlier today.

Montenegro’s cooperation with the OSCE mission in Podgorica, he continued, is in line with the country’s key domestic and foreign policy priorities, especially at the moment when Montenegro is making extensive efforts to meet EU targets, hoping to launch of the accession talks soon.

“All the reforms we have been pursuing as part of meeting the EU and NATO recommendations directly correspond with the OSCE projects on reforms in police, defence, education, fight against corruption and organised crime”, Minister Roćen noted.

Montenegrin Foreign Minister highly complimented the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the Lithuanian presidency, especially its commitment to media freedom, stressing that during its presidency Montenegro has introduced decriminalisation of media defamation into its legislative system.

Mr Ažubalis said that the cooperation between Montenegro and the OSCE can serve as an example of how a national government can use full range of OSCE capacities, underlining that “it is a smart approach to use good advice, good expertise and to save money ”

He also praised Montenegro for its active role in the region, in particular bearing in mind the recently adopted Budva Declaration regarding regional cooperation in fighting corruption and organised crime.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister concluded by reiterating his country’s strong support to EU and NATO open-door policy and Montenegro’s accession to these organisations.

The two foreign ministers also discussed possibilities for enhancing bilateral and economic cooperation between Montenegro and Lithuania, emphasising Montenegro’s keenness to exchange experiences with small but successful administrations, such as the Lithuanian one, regarding European and Euro-Atlantic integration.