Intensification of cooperation in South-East Europe and implementation of activities important for integration process

New York, USA (22 September 2016) -- State Secretary – Chief Negotiator for Montenegro's Accession to EU Aleksandar Andrija Pejović participated at a meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Western Balkans and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, which was held on the sidelines of the session of the UN General Assembly.

The meeting was an opportunity to exchange views on improving cooperation in the region, in particular by strengthening political and economic relations. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Western Balkans countries agreed on the need to continue the implementation of strategic activities which contribute to better economic and overall development of the region and as well affect the acceleration of European integration process.

Ambassador Pejović has also participated at the meeting of The South-East Europe Cooperation Process, which examines the priorities of the current Croatian Presidency of the Initiative, referring to solidarity in relation to migration, support SEECP member states in the process of EU accession, economic, energy and infrastructure integration of the region, cooperation in the field of sustainable development and the strengthening of parliamentary dialogue.

Ambassador Pejović underlined that economic integration and the creation of new opportunities for employment and investments are the best way to ensure a stable and prosperous future of the regional countries, particularly in terms of connectivity in the transport and energy sectors, which are part of the Berlin process. He also supported the work of the Research and Innovation Center in Split, as well as better linking in the section of data exchange. The Ambassador expressed the hope for Montenegro to open additional chapters of the Acquis and continue the dynamic process of ratification of the Protocol on Accession to NATO by the end of the year.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION