WB6 Summit in Trieste – PM Marković: EU enlargement is in interest of both EU and Region

Address by Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković at the Western Balkans Summit (WB6) can be downloaded here.

PHOTO: PM Duško Marković arrives at WB6 Summit in Trieste, family photo

Trieste, Italy (12 July 2017) -- Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković presented the Montenegrin project of cooperation in the field of science at the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the countries of the Western Balkans Six in Trieste. He said that our country considers today's meeting in Trieste as an event that will undoubtedly confirm that the Western Balkans belongs to the European Union and that the European Union will not be complete without the integration of the entire region, as well as a confirmation that the strategic commitment of all Western Balkan countries, that is membership in the European Union, has no alternative.

“We consider today's meeting in Trieste as an event that will undoubtedly confirm that the Western Balkans belongs to the European Union and that the European Union will not be complete without the integration of the entire region, because it is precisely a strategic investment in peace, democracy, prosperity, security and stability of Europe as a whole. I strongly support such a message contained in the Declaration prepared by the Italian Presidency,” the Prime Minister of Montenegro said at the plenary session of the Summit which, besides leaders of the Western Balkans Six – Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia – was also attended by heads of governments of Austria, Germany, France, Croatia and Slovenia, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom in the capacity of host of the next Summit in 2018, as well as EU top officials.

Prime Minister Marković reiterated that the process of European integration is the key priority of our foreign policy.

“Key foreign policy priorities of the Government are focused today on Montenegro’s membership in the European Union. Be sure that all of our capacities have been put in place to achieve this goal, and that the Government of Montenegro is fully committed to the continuation of a quality and efficient fulfilment of political and economic criteria for membership. The majority attitude of the Montenegrin public – to see their country in the European Union – obliges us to continue with the implementation of this successful policy,” Prime Minister Marković noted.

The Prime Minister pointed to the importance of the Berlin Process in the integration of Montenegro and other countries in our region, thanking German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU High Representative Federica Mogherini for their personal commitment to the Western Balkan joint project.

“Along with these activities, we sincerely welcome the efforts and progress that our neighbours are making on the European path. I believe that this meeting is also a strong confirmation that the strategic commitment of all Western Balkan countries – membership in the European Union – has no alternative,” Prime Minister Marković emphasised.

Montenegro presented in Trieste a proposal for the establishment of the International Institute for Development of Sustainable Technologies

According to the Prime Minister of Montenegro, it is encouraging that the Berlin Process has evolved from the initial agenda for connectivity in the areas of energy and transport to regional integration in many other important areas. Therefore, the countries of the region cooperate today in the fight against corruption, the digital agenda and achieving European standards in transport.

“In accordance with this, and recognising the importance of youth policy and the role of science, research and education, Montenegro has initiated a proposal for the establishment of the International Institute for Development of Sustainable Technologies with the “Science for Peace” mission. We deeply believe that cooperation in these areas, as well as the education of talented young people and engineers based on the transfer of knowledge and technology from European centres, such as CERN and others, can significantly help the Western Balkans in terms of better connecting with the rest of Europe, given that the cooperation has already started to produce results in terms of infrastructure. All this would significantly contribute to the economic development of the region, reducing unemployment, especially of young people, and as a key positive consequence, there will be a reduction in the outflow of talents from the region. Therefore, I ask all fellow prime ministers to carefully consider this idea and support further work on its realisation,” Prime Minister Duško Marković said at the plenary session of the Western Balkans Six.

We support the Action Plan, but we expect recognition of the different stages in the negotiations

Prime Minister Marković said that our country agrees with the proposed Consolidated Multi-Annual Action Plan for Regional Economic Space for six Western Balkan countries for trade, investment, mobility and digitisation that will be implemented in the existing CEFTA legal framework and under the Stabilisation and Association Agreements, which the countries of the region have signed with the EU and its members.

While assessing that the enlargement of the European Union is in the mutual interest of both the EU and the Western Balkan countries, Prime Minister Marković said that we expect the European Union to show its responsibility and maturity in our region as before, by recognising that our citizens, when it comes to international factor, most expect from the European Union.

“Therefore, it is in the mutual interest that the enlargement process does not slow down, but on the contrary – to be affirmed by the model of individual progress,” Prime Minister of Montenegro concluded at the plenary session of the Trieste Summit.

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