Vienna: DPM Lukšić participates at the Western Balkans Conference and Central European Initiative foreign ministers’ meeting

Vienna, Austria (3 June 2014) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić participated earlier today at the Western Balkans Conference discussing the European Union, the enlargement process, and European integration of the Western Balkans, taking place in Vienna. The conference was attended by representatives of 12 states, ministers from Western Balkans countries, and EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule.

Meeting participants were unanimous in stressing the importance of European integration for the region’s development. In that context, Commissioner Fule said that the Western Balkans integration is of key importance for the EU. The participants also concluded that the areas of energy, energy efficiency, security, and infrastructure development are crucial for further development and inter-connectedness of the Western Balkans countries.

In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić said that enlargement remains a key policy of the EU, which is confirmed by the fact that every country presiding over the EU puts enlargement and the Western Balkans very high on their agendas. Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić was hopeful that the success Montenegro has made in its European path will serve as an incentive for other Western Balkans countries and will secure the unhindered continuation of the enlargement process. In addition to the new approach and the rule of law, Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić discussed another aspect of EU integration – economic governance. Better economic cooperation and integration among the region’s countries is a sure way towards growth, and the EU and multi-lateral financial institutions have an irreplaceable role in that regard, which is a steady guarantee of lasting political stability in this part of the European continent, Mr Lukšić has said.

The conference also discussed the current situation following natural disasters that have hit region’s countries, and the participants underlined the importance of solidarity, compassion, and mutual help in alleviating the consequences.

During his stay in Vienna, Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić participated at the ministerial meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI) entitled “New Challenges for the CEI,” which is taking place under Austria’s chairmanship of the Initiative.

On the occasion of celebrating CEI’s 25th anniversary, the meeting underlined the Initiative’s important role in boosting the countries’ EU accession. The meeting stressed the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding between CEI and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) as two of the most important regional mechanisms for promoting the projects of shared interest and exchange of information on politics and economy. The ministers expressed deep concern over current developments in Ukraine.

Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić underlined that regional cooperation is the quickest way towards ensuring CEI objectives. Cooperation and contribution to regional stability are the best references for integration progress and the quickest way to our shared European future, Mr Lukšić has said. Deputy Prime Minister Lukšić concluded that cooperation is the key for better future for all our citizens and added that CEI is one of the best regional cooperation frameworks through which it is possible for everyone to reap benefits.