Sofia: Importance of further commitment to enlargement policy and support to candidate countries in process of EU accession

Sofia, Bulgaria (16 February 2018) -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović participated today in Sofia at informal meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of EU Member States and Candidates (Gymnich) within the Bulgarian presidency of the EU, and the main topic was cooperation in the field of security and defence.

The meeting was also an opportunity to exchange views on further activities within the Bulgarian presidency, in light of the upcoming summits in Sofia and London, and the importance of further EU commitment to the enlargement policy and greater support for candidates in the accession process was emphasised.

Speaking about the recently published Strategy for a European Perspective in the Western Balkans, Minister Darmanović said that it represents a positive signal at the present moment when the region needs a clear message that the European perspective for the countries of the Western Balkans is unquestionable. He stressed that Montenegro is perceiving the Strategy as an incentive to continue its efforts and good results in order to complete its political, economic and social reform.

Minister Darmanović took the opportunity to reiterate Montenegro's full commitment to the integration process, but also to present the results so far. With emphasis on the correctness of the individual approach to assessing the results achieved in the negotiation process, and the need for as soon as possible integration into the EU as a prerequisites for the political, economic and other stabilisation of the region.

He also pointed out that Montenegro, as a new member of NATO and a candidate for EU membership, strongly supports all the efforts that these two organisations are undertaking in order to ensure lasting peace and stability. In this regard, he particularly emphasised the EU's efforts in strengthening the defence system and building PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation). “We believe that a stronger European defence, which is complementary to NATO, makes a significant contribution to our common security,” Minister Darmanović concluded.