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Prime Minister Marković with EU Commissioner Hahn: After joining NATO, our first priority goal is membership in EU

Published on: Jun 9, 2017 10:30 PM Author: PR Service
Podgorica, Montenegro (9 June 2017) – As a NATO member state, Montenegro will be more focused than ever on the European integration process, Prime Minister Duško Marković highlighted at the meeting with the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. 

„Our commitment, the Government's commitment to pursuing the EU integration process is a key goal. It is our number one priority. Therefore, all the potentials of the Government and the public administration responsible to this Government will be focused in that direction,“ PM Marković stressed.

PM Marković reiterated Commissioner's Hahn words related to the European Commission's commitment to the “regatta principle” in the EU accession process, explaining that the country’s progress in the negotiation process is rewarded by opening of the new chapters. 

“The Government is committed to completing the EU negotiation process within this mandate,” PM Marković emphasised. 

Montenegro’s successful EU accession process

PM Marković and the EU Commissioner Hahn voiced expectations that Montenegro will open two negotiation chapters and close one chapter in June. 

Speaking about the regional initiatives, PM Marković stressed that Montenegro has always been a promoter of the regional stability and a factor of peace and stability in the Western Balkans, as two key priorities for development and European perspective of the region. Montenegro will remain committed to boosting economic cooperation among the neighbouring countries, PM Marković added. 

“Commissioner Hahn, thank you for being in Montenegro today. Thank you for an open discussion regarding various topics and for a high level of understanding,” PM Marković stressed.

Commissioner Hahn voiced satisfaction over his stay in Montenegro, which occurred just a few days after the country became NATO member state. “I congratulate you on this achievement from the bottom of my heart. This is a key milestone on your Euro-Atlantic path,” Commissioner Hahn highlighted. 

The EU is against boycott of the Parliament
 
Commissioner Hahn said that the boycott of the Parliament is not European way of behavior and that the European Commission is worried about it. 

“Political debate should take place in the Parliament, both in the EU and Montenegro. Therefore, I urge the political parties to participate in the political work,” Commissioner Hahn underlined. 

Speaking of the EU accession process, Commissioner Hahn commended once again Montenegro’s progress in this area. “I am pleased to say that Montenegro is the country which made a remarkable progress in the EU accession process over the past years,” Commissioner Hahn emphasised, adding that the country should continue pursuing this trend in the coming years.

Institutional framework in the rule of law is completed and specialised agencies such as the Special State Prosecutor's Office and the Agency for prevention of corruption are established, which means that the time for sustainable balance of results in combating crime, human trafficking and money laundering is about to come, Commissioner Hahn explained.

European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn also visited the Lastva substation, which is part of the "Trans-Balkan electricity corridor I: Grid Section in Montenegro". This project is an example of Montenegro’s progress in terms of projects related to the Western Balkans connectivity agenda, Commissioner Hahn pointed out.

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