DPM Ivanović meets with European Commissioner for health and food safety Vytenis Andriukaitis

Podgorica, Montenegro (14 July 2016) – The opening of the negotiation chapter 12 – Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary control is a clear signal that the EU enlargement policy continues. In particular, the negotiations on Chapter 12 are the way to establish a stable and reliable system of food safety to the benefit of consumers and producers in Montenegro.



This is concluded after the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Petar Ivanović and European Commissioner for health and food safety Vytenis Andriukaitis who is on an official visit to Montenegro. The two officials talked about the conditions that Montenegro must meet regarding this demanding Chapter, as well as the possibilities of improving cooperation and EU support for the education of young people from Montenegro.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović thanked the Commissioner for personal support to opening negotiation Chapter 12 and the total support given to Montenegro over the past three and a half years.

"In a very important moment for the EU, the opening of two chapters (12 and 13) with Montenegro and one with Turkey represents EU's clear message that it is important to continue the enlargement process, not only for the EU but also for the candidate countries," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Speaking of food safety, DPM Ivanović pointed out that today's talks with the Commissioner were useful and productive, because they reviewed the best model for Montenegro to obtain a stable and reliable system of food safety.

"Montenegro is a small country and there are natural limitations, I am very grateful for the valuable suggestions I received, as well as opening opportunities for further cooperation and learning about sustainable solutions applicable to small systems," DPM Ivanović said.

He added that he talked with the Commissioner about the closing benchmarks for Chapter 12, which will be formally discussed late September.

European Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis expressed satisfaction with the visit to Montenegro and thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for very good discussion.

"We talked about many issues, especially on the opening of negotiations on Chapter 12, which shows that the accession process is still running and it is a confirmation of the European perspective of Montenegro and other candidate countries. The talks are the criteria and the possibilities for improving cooperation and support to young people, " Andriukaitis said.

He recalled the strong support of the European Commission to Montenegro and once again conveyed a message of encouragement to the European path of Montenegro by Commissioner Hahn.

"We welcome the agreement on free elections and we expect Montenegro to continue reforms in the European integration process, as well as to fulfill the obligations related to the rule of law. I am optimistic about the future," the Commissioner said.

European Commissioner also visited the House of honey in Danilovgrad.

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