Great Britain continues to support Montenegro's EU bid, senior Foreign Office's official says

Podgrica, Montenegro (17 July 2012) –The Great Britain is a great advocate of EU enlargement and it will continue to support Montenegro's EU bid, Simon Fraser, Permanent Under Secretary of State, said at the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Duško Marković earlier today. He congratulated Montenegro on the opening of accession negotiations with the EU, pointing out that, in this stage of the integration process, it will be more room for closer cooperation between Montenegro and the United Kingdom, in particular when it comes to the expert support.

DPM Marković informed Mr Fraser about the results achieved in the areas of strengthening rule of law, fight against organised crime and corruption, and judiciary reform. The two officials agreed that these areas are a generator of every country’s progress, especially with regard to the economy and foreign investments. In that respect, the Foreign Office’s senior official announced further activities with the view to upgrading the two countries’ economic ties.

When it comes to the new legislative solutions in the criminal law, as a basic precondition for the fight against all forms of crime, DPM Marković expressed content with the implementation of the laws that resulted in developing a solid track record in that area.

The two officials also agreed that the key to the progress of the Western Balkans lies in closer cooperation, not only in combating organised crime and corruption, but in other areas as well. These are the standards that both the community of European nations and the Western Balkans strive for, the meeting concluded.