Minister Lidington: United Kingdom strongly supports Montenegro's path towards EU and NATO in line with achieved results dynamics

Podgorica, Montenegro (4 February 2014) – Prime Minister Milo Đukanović hosted earlier today Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office David Lidington, with whom he discussed bilateral relations and Montenegro's European and Euro-Atlantic perspective of Montenegro.

Prime Minister Đukanović thanked the UK Government for its continued support for Montenegro, at the bilateral level and in the process of joining the EU and NATO.

The meeting stressed Montenegro’s willingness to achieve the necessary reforms on the eve of the 2014 NATO summit in Wales.

Minister Lidington welcomed Montenegro’s progress, referring to the importance of continuing the integration process for both Montenegro and the entire region’s future. He noted that the United Kingdom strongly supports Montenegro's path towards the EU and NATO in line with the dynamics of the achieved results.

Both sides agreed that Montenegro and the United Kingdom have been boosting cooperation in a number of areas, particularly in the fields of education, strengthening judicial system, security, etc.

Given Montenegro’s prospective of becoming the most dynamic regional investment destination in the coming period, both sides recognised the scope for more intensive cooperation in this area. Special incentives in that regard should be provided by the EBRD-sponsored high-level regional forum on investing in the West Balkans, which will be held in London in late February, as well as a planned business forum.