Foreign Minister Kurtz: Austria strongly supports integration of Montenegro and region into EU

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Podgorica, Montenegro (19 June 2015) -- Austria strongly supports the integration of Montenegro and Western Balkan countries into the European Union, said Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz at today's meeting with Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Đukanović in Podgorica.

The Austrian Minister pointed out that Montenegro has made major progress in the process of EU integration. In that context, he stressed the importance of the forthcoming summit in Vienna, which represents the continued success of the Berlin process, with the aim of boosting infrastructure linking of the region and its overall economic development.

Prime Minister Đukanović thanked Austria for the support and sensibility when the Western Balkan region and issues of importance for its integration and development are concerned. He stated that increased interest and involvement of the EU within the framework which is a continuation of the Vienna Summit in August is of high significance.

"The decades of backwardness of the region can be overcomed by joint action of the EU and countries of the region towards the implementation of key regional projects," PM Đukanović underscored. 

Both sides agreed that the two countries have established very good bilateral relations and strengthened successful cooperation in many areas, with special emphasis on the economy. Positive experiences of Austrian investors could be the impetus for the deepening of cooperation in the fields of energy, agriculture and tourism, the meeting concluded. It also recognised that a considerable potential for cooperation can be found the fields of science and culture.