EU' Füle: Progress on constitutional amendments, Audio Recordings affair, OSCE recommendations following presidential elections crucial for further integration

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Podgorica, Montenegro (27 June 2013) – “The EU made clear that progress on these issues – the constitutional amendments, the investigation of the Audio Recordings affair, the follow-up to the OSCE recommendations following presidential elections – will be an important factor determining future progress in the accession negotiations, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Štefan Füle told the press conference following the 4th EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council’s meeting, which took place in Brussels on Wednesday.

He reminded of the fact that one year after the opening of the accession talks, two chapters have been opened and provisionally closed and the EU is now discussing screening reports with its Member States.

“We expect the Montenegrin authorities to show the necessary political will to overcome the challenges and rise to the expectations attached by the EU to a country negotiating its accession to the EU, Commissioner Füle stated.

Fourth EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council’s meeting addressed recent progress made in Montenegro, such as the Parliamentary decisions of the end of May to tackle some of the recent challenges.

“It is important to translate the parliamentary conclusions of 31 May into concrete results,” Commissioner Füle pointed out.

He also stressed the importance of the huge work towards the Action Plans on Chapters 23 and 24, which is about to be completed, particularly referring to their implementation which is necessary for the opening of these chapters soon, he added.

“This should bring tangible improvements for rule of law in Montenegro. At the same time, tangible results in this regard are necessary for continued progress in the accession process," the EU Commissioner for Enlargement concluded.

Joint press release issued following the fourth meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council between the European Union and Montenegro is available here.