Montenegro regional leader in EU accession process

Podgorica, Montenegro (29 April 2013) – Prime Minister Milo Đukanović met with European Parliament’s delegation for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo in Podgorica earlier today.

Head of the Delegation Eduard Kukan commended the achievements Montenegro's Government has accomplished in the EU accession process to date. He underlined that Montenegro is a country with whom the EU seriously negotiates about all the integration issues and that, as such, it sets an example to other countries of the region.

The European Parliamentarians also pointed out Montenegro’s significant role in boosting regional cooperation and stability, adding that Montenegro is an important factor of the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

With regards to current political situation in Montenegro, the EP’s representatives agreed that boycott is not a proper way to achieve political goals. They called on the opposition to contribute to the promotion of dialogue within Montenegro’s institutions.

Prime Minister Đukanović thanked the European Parliament's delegation for the encouragement they have been providing to Montenegro in enforcing standards that will contribute to Montenegro's full-fledged EU membership. He informed the delegation about his Government's priorities concerning the financial consolidation and development projects, emphasising that the Government, in parallel with pursuing economic policy, is working hard on meeting European and Euro-Atlantic agenda.

By the same token, PM Đukanović acquainted the EP’s representatives with the ongoing process of drafting the action plans necessary for opening the negotiations chapters 23 and 24.