Netherlands expects continuation of reforms to lead to Montenegro's full membership in EU

At all the meetings with senior Dutch officials, I heard the words of encouragement and support for the reforms Montenegro has carried out, as well as the expectations that the continuation of the reforms we are implementing will lead to full membership in the European Union, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Zoran Pažin noted at the end of his two-day official visits to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Speaking to Dutch MPs, members of parliamentary committees on European affairs and security, DPM Pažin presented the concrete results Montenegro has achieved in the fight against organised crime and corruption, stressing that these results strengthen the foundations of justice and security in Montenegro and beyond, and recommend the country for faster EU accession.

He pointed out that in 2018 alone, the Montenegrin Prosecutor's Office has filed criminal charges against 716 persons for criminal offenses of corruption and against 115 persons for organised crime, also referring to the recent seizures of several tons of narcotics and police actions that prevented a number of the most serious crimes in the field of organised crime.

Deputy Prime Minister Pažin thanked the Prime Minister's Adviser Michael Stibbe for continued support of the Dutch Government for the enlargement policy and Montenegro's progress towards EU membership, saying that it is very important for the principle of regatta, that is, the principle of progress based on individual merits of candidate countries, to be maintained.

Deputy Prime Minister Pažin noted that based on the results achieved, Montenegro expects support from the Netherlands for faster progress in the upcoming decisive phase of the EU accession process, emphasising that the support for Montenegro's EU bid is the best incentive for the policy of affirmation of European values, peace and prosperity in the region of the Western Balkans. He concluded the official visit to the Netherlands by participating in the celebration marking 125 years of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER