Brussels: DPM Lukšić attends working dinner hosted by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton

Brussels, Belgium (12 February 2014) -- Montenegro's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić participated yesterday in Brussels in a working dinner attended by foreign ministers from the EU member states and the candidate countries, traditionally hosted by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton. The working dinner was also attended by EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle.

Heads of diplomacy discussed several topics from the EU Foreign Ministers Council’s agenda, including the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Syria, Egypt, and in countries of the Eastern Partnership.

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton praised Montenegro’s participation and contribution to common foreign and security policy of the EU, as well as its constructive contribution to the promotion and strengthening of regional cooperation in the context of European integration of the Western Balkans.

Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić said that maintaining good dynamics of the integration process of the Western Balkan's countries and their rapid overall development require further reinforcing of regional cooperation and stressed the need to further improve the existing cooperation mechanisms. In that regard, he emphasised Montenegro will continue to be an important factor and initiator of regional initiatives aimed at faster integration into the EU and more dynamic economic development.