Owen Jenkins of Foreign Office: United Kingdom to provide support to Montenegro's EU, NATO bid

Podgorica, Montenegro (9 July 2014) -- United Kingdom is a strong proponent of European and Euro-Atlantic integration and will provide full support to Montenegro on its path towards EU and NATO accession, Owen Jenkins, Director for Western Balkan and EU Enlargement in the British Foreign Office, pointed out at his meeting with Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Duško Marković in Podgorica.

Mr Jenkins praised Montenegro’s track record, especially in terms of strengthening the rule of law and legal certainty, which are crucial for both Montenegro and the entire region.

Deputy Prime Minister Marković thanked Mr Jenkins for the support provided by the United Kingdom in the field of justice, referring to the projects related to training programmes for judges and prosecutors in combating corruption and organised crime, implementing integrity plans, and building the capacity of the Ministry in the field of international legal assistance in criminal matters.

DPM Marković reiterated that 95% of prosecutors and 90% of judges were trained through these projects, and that codes of ethics for judges and prosecutors, as well as integrity plans, were drafted, which directly contributes to the implementation of the action plan for the negotiating chapter 23.

As regards Euro-Atlantic integration of Montenegro, Mr Jenkins said that the opening of the intensified dialogue about the country's membership in NATO by the end of 2015, as well as the isolated position of Montenegro in the dialogue, came as recognition for the reforms Montenegro has implemented in that area.