FM Fabius: France welcomes Montenegro's reforms in EU accession process

Paris, France (15 March 2013) -- France welcomes the track record Montenegro has developed and the way it has been pursuing reforms, French Foreign Minister Laurant Fabius said at the meeting with Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Igor Lukšić in Paris on Thursday. France fully believes in Montenegro’s success in the negotiation process, he underlined, adding that there are challenges and reforms ahead.

FM Fabius said that France remains committed to Montenegro’s integration into NATO and welcomed its participation in international peace keeping missions.

He also stressed the significant role Montenegro plays in the region, as it is the only country that negotiates with the EU at the moment and highlighted its constructive contribution to strengthening regional stability and good neighbourly relations.

DPM Lukšić also met with Élisabeth Guigou, President of the Commission of Foreign Affairs at the French National Assembly, who said that Montenegro is on the right track in the EU accession process and that, since restoring independence in 2006, it has made significant improvements.

The Western Balkan’s accession should remain one of the EU key foreign policy priorities, she underlined, adding that the EU should not be an obligation, but open for all the countries that are willing and able to join it. She said that the opening of the negotiation process with the chapters 23 and 24 is a pragmatic approach, having in mind that it is the best way to take advantage of the process which is demanding and long-lasting in these areas.