Montenegro's Chief Negotiator Pejović participates in informal meeting of European Affairs in Athens

Athens, Greece (31 January 2014) – Montenegro’s State Secretary for European Integration and Chief Negotiator Ambassador Aleksandar Andrija Pejović took part in the informal meeting of European Affairs, which was held in Athens under the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the European Commission, European affairs coordinators of the EU member states, as well as the candidate countries.

The first part of the meeting focused on the presentation of the priorities of the Greek Presidency in the first half of 2014. It was pointed out the EU key measures and actions will be directed towards economic growth, reducing unemployment, further integration and stability of the euro zone, security in terms of the EU citizens’ mobility, protection of borders and reducing illegal immigration. Due to the fact that Greece is a Mediterranean country, special emphasis will be also put on maritime policy.

When it comes to the enlargement policy, it was pointed out that it remains an important segment of the European agenda in the next six months. In that regard, as an additional impulse to the enlargement policy, the Greek Presidency has launched an initiative for organising an EU - Western Balkan leaders summit in Thessaloniki in 2014 (Thessaloniki II), with a view to adopting a political declaration on establishing ambitious but realistic date of completion of the Western Balkan’s negotiation process.

Taking part in the first part of the meeting, Ambassador Pejović reminded the meeting participants of the progress that has been made since the 2003 Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans until today.

Concerning the priorities of the Greek Presidency, Montenegro’s Chief Negotiator expressed satisfaction that it includes maritime policy, which is very important for further progress in the field of transport and tourism. Montenegro is particularly interested in activities related to the new strategy for the Adriatic -Ionian macro-region which will take central stage of the Greek and the upcoming Italian presidencies over the EU.

Furthermore, Chief Negotiator Pejović pointed out the importance of the migration policies that Montenegro has already joined as part of the rule of law negotiating chapters. In addition, the development of asylum policy and concrete measures to stop the illegal migration in the Mediterranean will be of particular importance as well. 

The meeting also addressed the principle of subsidiarity, which is of fundamental importance for the functioning of the EU, particularly when it comes to the decision-making process.