Montenegro’s success “is also EU’s success”, says ambassador: Denmark welcomes progress, pledges integration and reform help

Podgorica, Montenegro (21 February 2012) – EU and NATO integration and economic revival are Montenegro’s priorities in the coming period Prime Minister Igor Lukšić said at his meeting earlier today with Denmark’s European Affairs Minister Nicolai Wammen. Mr Wammen said that Denmark is pleased to see the results Government has achieved in the integration processes and underlined that Montenegro will have a strong support from all EU countries to continue with its efforts.

Prime Minister Lukšić noted that the opening of EU accession negotiations will have a positive effect on the reforms processes and the improvement of the living standard in Montenegro. “Without the support of EU countries, we would not have had such progress and incentive for further effort,” said Mr Lukšić.

Mr Wammen voiced Denmark’s and EU’s support for Montenegro: “We congratulate you on what you have achieved; keep on working with the same intensity so that you would be able to successfully accomplish the upcoming tasks towards the EU membership. Your success is also the EU’s success.”

PM Lukšić and his guest discussed the state of affairs in the region and agreed that EU integration will contribute to the region’s stability and progress.

Later during his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Milan Roćen, Mr Wammen stressed it is crucial, for Montenegro, to continue pursuing reforms, especially regarding the chapters 23 and 24, and the Copenhagen criteria, hoping for the positive EU decision in June.

In that regard, Minister Roćen remarked that Montenegro does its best to prepare itself for the General Affairs Council's meeting in June, in which the European Commission's report on Montenegro's progress is to be disscused and decided wheather to open the negotiation talks.