Interior Minister Virant: Slovenia to assist Montenegro's efforts towards European and Euro-Atantic accession

Slovenia, Ljubljana (2 June 2014) – Montenegrin Minister of the Interior Raško Konjević met yesterday with his Slovenian counterpart Gregor Virant for talks on cooperation of the two ministries.

Minister Virant underlined that Slovenia fully supports Montenegro's European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes. Slovenia will provide all necessary assistance and expertise to Montenegro in order to become full-fledged member of the EU and NATO, particularly in meeting standards and implementing measures arising from its European agenda, he highlighted.

Minister Konjević informed his counterpart about the activities Montenegro is implementing due to its responsibilities within the action plans for Chapters 23 and 24. Public administration reform is crucial for creating professional and efficient administration which is committed to responding to citizens’ needs, he added.

Montenegro and Slovenia represent an example of excellent bilateral cooperation, Minister Konjević underlined, and thanked Minister Virant for the continuing support that official Ljubljana provides to Podgorica.

During his visit to Slovenia, Minister Konjević will also attend the conference at the ministerial level, which will take place at Brdo near Kranj. The conference will discuss strengthening regional cooperation and coordination of the EU support in terms of pre-accession needs, with a particular emphasis on negotiating Chapter 24.