Minister Darmanović meets with EU's Hahn and Mogherini

Brussels, Belgium (28 February 2017) – Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović met today with EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn and EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. Minister Darmanović stressed that despite internal political challenges and destructive activities of foreign factors Montenegro remains firmly committed to European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

During the meeting with Commissioner Hahn at the headquarters of the European Commission, Minister Darmanović pointed out that the enlargement policy is one of the pillars of European stability and a significant driving force of socio-economic development of the Western Balkans.

Speaking about the current challenges in domestic politics and boycott of the parliament by the opposition, Minister Darmanović and Commissioner Hahn agreed that parliamentary boycott is not a constructive and productive way of achieving political goals. The Minister reminded that the Montenegrin opposition has decided to boycott the parliament and not to recognise the election results – which were given a positive assessment by the OSCE and the Council of Europe – after several unsuccessful attempts to form a government at the national level. He also explained that the challenge to the legitimacy of the elections at the state level did not prevent the opposition to form a government in municipalities where they won the majority of votes in that same election process.

During the meeting with EU High Representative Mogherini, the Minister presented the current developments in the investigation of prepared terrorist attack on the day of parliamentary elections in Montenegro, emphasising significant friendly and partnership support and assistance that NATO allies provided in clarification of this case. Mogherini thanked on Montenegro's continuous partnership and support in implementing the common European security and policy, and welcomed the country's determination to stay committed to the European and Euro-Atlantic integration despite the significant internal and external challenges. She said that the EU does not support parliamentary boycott and that internal political challenges are surpassed by constructive dialogue and confrontation of argument in democratic institutions, in the best interests of the citizens of Montenegro.

Minister Darmanović also met with Charles Tannock, European Parliament rapporteur for Montenegro. The officials highlighted the importance of the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Montenegro and reiterated the importance of the European Parliament's support.