PM Marković hosts Dutch Parliament Delegation: Montenegro's focus is on European integration and reforms that need to be implemented

Prime Minister Duško Marković hosted a delegation of the Parliament of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is paying a working visit to Montenegro.

The Prime Minister informed the representatives of the Dutch Parliament about the excellent results of the Government on the political and economic plan and our priorities and strategic goals of the Government, stressing that there is no wandering between different commitments and values in Montenegro's politics, but that it is characterized by strong commitment to European and Euro-Atlantic values and reforms that need to be fully implemented.

Speaking about our integration processes, PM Marković said that after the successful joining of Montenegro to NATO, the Government directed the focus of activities on the European integration process, in which we believe that we can open the remaining three negotiating chapters this year.

"Our ambitions are even bigger – by the end of the year we have to fulfill provisional benchmarks for closing chapters 23 and 24," Prime Minister Marković said.

In this context, the Prime Minister emphasised our commitment to continuously work on the improvement of the rule of law and to even more closely approach to public administration reform.

"We do not ask anyone to see through our fingers, but we expect assistance from those who have more knowledge and experience in these processes," the Prime Minister said, particularly emphasising the valuable assistance of the Netherlands in the early phase of our reforms when in Montenegro, thanks to the support and partnership with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, first steps to improve the rights and position of the LGBT population were taken.

"For us it was almost unknown territory before you provided us with assistance, and today we are leaders in the region," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister thanked the Government, the Parliament and the people of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for their strong support to Montenegro in our Euro-Atlantic integration process.

Representatives of the Dutch Parliament, led by Chairman of the Standing Committee on European Affairs Malik Azmani, stressed that they are visiting Montenegro as the country that is at the forefront of EU negotiations. The two officials exchanged views on other economic and political developments.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO