PM Đukanović meets with Head of EU Delegation Aivo Orav

Podgorica, Montenegro (3 October 2016) -- Prime Minister Milo Đukanović met today with newly appointed Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro Aivo Orav.  

The Prime Minister Đukanović wished Ambassador Orav a successful mission and expressed readiness to strengthen partnership and cooperation with the EU Delegation in the remaining course of the accession negotiations for Montenegro's membership in the EU. He informed Ambassador Orav on current and planned activities in that respect, focusing on the implementing reforms in the rule of law and the acceleration of economic development. In this context, he particularly stressed the importance of the Berlin process for the European perspective of the region. He expressed the expectation that Montenegro will open more chapters during the Slovak presidency, and will begin with a temporary closure. Thereby he stressed that it is not the deadlines that are important for us, but the quality of the reforms, although it is very important to maintain the pace of the process.

Ambassador Orav expressed his satisfaction with the appointment as the Head of EU Delegation to Montenegro, and pointed out that Brussels has a positive signal to all countries of the Western Balkans. In this respect, he encouraged the Government to continue to fulfill the commitments in the negotiation process, which is the best guarantee for the European perspective of Montenegro, out of which the EU expects good news, that are important for the European public opinion.

Also, they exchanged the views on the situation in Montenegro on the eve of the regular parliamentary elections in October. Both sides emphasized the importance of creating the preconditions for the free expression of the citizens will in the elections, as well as the fact that the agreement in this direction was achieved without the mediation of the international community. The Prime Minister expressed his belief that Montenegro will be a generator of good news after 16 October too, and that it will resolutely continue to run its European and Euro-Atlantic path.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO