DPM Marković, Ambasador Stokvis: Netherlands will continue to strongly support Montenegro's EU, NATO bid

Podgorica, Montenegro (20 July 2015) -- Deputy Prime Minister Duško Marković hosted earlier today a farewell visit by Ambassador of the Netherlands Laurent Louis Stokvis. 

The Netherlands strongly supports Montenegro on its path towards the membership in European Union and NATO, and it will continue to cooperate closely with the government, so that the country can enjoy benefits from joining Euro-Atlantic and European structures, Ambassador Stokvis underlined.

The Ambassador praised Montenegro's progress in reforming judiciary and the security sector, adding that the country needs to be be proactive in contributing to changing attitudes of citizens.

Speaking about the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Deputy Prime Minister Marković stressed that Montenegro has made operational and strategic steps forward when it comes to the security sector reform.

"Over a short period of time, significant results were achieved in building an integrated security system, which will be able to plan activities and overcome possible security risks," DPM Marković noted. She also thanked Ambassador Stokvis for the valuable support provided by the Dutch government in developing projects in the field of justice, which, in his words, is an incentive for Montenegro to continue reforms aimed at building a more efficient and independent justice system.

Both sides agreed there is room for intensifying economic cooperation between the two countries. The Dutch Ambassador underlined his country's willingness to provide support to Montenegro in that area as well.

Montenegro needs to fight for its place in the competitive market of the European Union, and the Dutch government will provide all the necessary advisory and expert support and assistance, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Laurent Louis Stokvis underscored during his farewell meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković.