Montenegro remains dedicated to EU, NATO accession, regional cooperation, DPM Lukšić says

Podgorica, Montenegro (31 July 2013) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić held a regular half year press conference, where he presented the activities regarding the implementation of Montenegro’s key foreign policy priorities, particularly in the areas of EU and NATO accession process, and regional and multilateral cooperation.

Concerning Montenegro’s EU integration process, DPM Lukšić underlined the recent completion of the screening process, as “an important first stage of the negotiations and also the basis for the opening and provisional closure of the relevant chapters”. He reiterated that Montenegro has already opened and provisionally closed negotiating chapters on science and research, and on education and culture, and completed its negotiation structure, which involves representatives from different segments of the society.

However, he stressed, the most important work concerns the adoption of action plans on negotiating chapter 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, and chapter 24 - Justice, Freedom and Security.

“It is necessary to maintain internal reforms momentum, in line with these action plans, in order to open negotiations in these areas. Adoption of constitutional amendments is crucial and without it our integration process will not move forward,” Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić told the press.

Montenegro also made further progress towards achieving the NATO membership, DPM Lukšić said. Recent meeting between the North Atlantic Council (NAC) and Montenegro in Brussels concluded that Montenegro pursued reforms in key areas and continued achieving substantial progress in the last cycle of the NATO Membership Action Plan. It also praised Montenegro's contribution to global efforts in maintaining peace and stability by participating in the ISAF mission, and confirmed the NATO willingness to continue its open-door policy.

Montenegro is preparing for the fourth cycle of the Annual National Programme for NATO membership.

“By assuming presiding over the US-Adriatic Charter, we will try to contribute to global security and strengthening the Western Balkan’s position of a NATO's reliable partner ,” he added.

One of the most important tasks, according to DPM Lukšić, is to strengthen public support for NATO membership.

“We will undertake activities in coordination with representatives of civil society, media, academia, business community and all other social stakeholders, with the aim of strengthening public understanding of Montenegro's integration into NATO”.

Foreign Minister Lukšić underlined that fostering good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation remains one of the most important priorities of Montenegro’s foreign policy. Montenegro is an active member of over 30 regional organisations and initiatives, he added, and it held presidency of the most important ones (CEI, SEECP, JJI, A5, CEFTA 2006, MARRI).

Furthermore, Montenegro, as the only country in the region that is currently negotiating EU membership, has launched, within the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), an idea in order to further promote regional cooperation and strengthen the Western Balkan’s European perspective.

He explained that the Montenegrin initiative to establish the “Western Balkan Six+2” aims to change the stereotypical image of the Balkans and to provide, through projects of common interest, its European perspective.

“The initiative will focus on infrastructure, reducing transaction costs for citizens and businesses, and further regional cooperation in the fight against organised crime,” DPM Lukšić told the press conference on Tuesday.