Ambassador: UK supports opening of EU accession negotiations with Montenegro

Podgorica, Montenegro (30 November 2011) – Given Montenegro’s positive track-record in meeting the EU accession requirements, the UK will accept the EU Commission’s recommendation to set the date for the commencement of Montenegro’s EU accession negotiations, Ambassador Catherine Knight-Sands said at her meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Milan Roćen yesterday.

In their conversation on the EU integration of Montenegro and the region, Ambassador Knight-Sands underlined that the UK supports the EU enlargement policy towards the Western Balkans. She noted that the countries of the region should move forward in the integration process according to their individual progress, reminding however that the final decision by Brussels depends on the positions of all member-states.

Minister Roćen thanked Ambassador Knight-Sands for the UK support and underlined that the enlargement policy is a stimulus for the Western Balkans countries to continue with their reform efforts.