Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger: Austria remains Montenegro's partner and friend on its journey towards EU

Vienna, Austria (17 May 2013) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Lukšić met Thursday with his Austrian counterpart Michael Spindelegger.

Austrian Vice-Chancellor said that Montenegro made an excellent start in its EU negotiation process, reiterating that Austria remains Montenegro's partner and friend on its further European journey. He voiced his Government’s commitment to European perspective of the Western Balkans, pointing out that Montenegro's progress gives a significant impetus to the entire region. There is still hard work to do, but it will result in the improvement of the quality of life of its citizens, the Vice Chancellor stressed.

DPM Lukšić said that the progress of small countries has a positive impact on other countries of the region and on promoting European perspective. He underlined Montenegro's Government's full dedication to “European course”, with special emphasis on the chapters 23 and 24.

With regard to strengthening regional cooperation, as one of key foreign priorities of Montenegro, DPM Lukšić acquainted his Austrian counterpart with the initiative to establish a new framework for regional cooperation and joint performance of the countries of the region towards the EU.