EU perspective of Western Balkan add strong impetus to further democratisation, improvement of quality of life

Brussels, Belgium (21 February 2014) -- State Secretary for European Integration and Montenegro’s Chief EU Negotiator Ambassador Aleksandar Andrija Pejović participated in the conference “Montenegro and the Perspective of the Western Balkans in the EU” in Brussels on Thursday. The conference was sponsored by the Hanns Seidel Foundation, in cooperation with the Centre for European Studies fm Brussels.

The conference was an opportunity to discuss the future of EU policy towards the Western Balkans, focusing on the progress and challenges in adjusting to the legal system of the EU. The meeting in particular emphasised that the membership of the EU adds strong impetus to reform processes in the countries of the region aimed at further democratisation and improvement of  the quality of life.

Ambassador Pejović presented Montenegro’s progress towards the EU, as well as the challenges that are ahead. He reiterated the country’s commitment to implementing domestic reforms, particularly those related to strengthening the rule of law, judiciary, fight against corruption and organised crime, and human rights and freedoms.

He pointed out that the EU accession process is the best mechanism for pursuing political and economic reforms. In that context, Montenegro’s Chief Negotiator stressed the goal of European integration is not only the EU membership itself, but primarily introducing European standards and providing higher quality of life for all citizens of the region. 

"The progress of each of the state individually strengthens European perspective and enhances the image and development opportunities throughout the region. I look forward to the success of each of our neighbour, "Ambassador Pejović pointed out.

The conference participants stressed the importance of continuing the reform process and maintaining good dynamic expansion of the EU after the accession of Croatia. It was pointed out that, in addition to the focus on fiscal consolidation and overcoming the effects of the global economic crisis, the EU remains equally committed to the enlargement policy. The meeting pointed out that, in addition to the EU member state’s willingness for the admission of new members, the best arguments for the membership are individual results achieved by the candidate countries. In that regard, it was highlighted that the EU, as well as its member states, will continue to monitor the process and assist the candidate countries in meeting the EU agenda.