Press release: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets Director of CoE Directorate of Political Affairs Marc Scheuer

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met today in Podgorica with Marc Scheuer, Director of the Council of Europe Directorate of Political Affairs, who is making an official visit to our republic.

Reference was made to the issues concerning the cooperation between the Government and relevant authorities and the Council of Europe, emphasizing that the CoE had provided a strong incentive to the development of important aspects of social activities in Montenegro. That, above all, referred to the harmonization of the local legislation with European standards, implementation of reforms in the field of state administration, local governance, judiciary, internal affairs, educational and tuition system, etc, which contributed to the overall democratization of the Republic.

The Prime Minister said that Montenegro and his Government were strongly committed to further reforms with a view to fulfilling the requirements associated with European and transatlantic integration. He stressed that Montenegro was ready to take full responsibility for all matters within its competence and that it would do everything in its power to ensure the fulfillment of the State Unions obligations.

The Prime Minister commended the Council of Europes recognition of Montenegros specificity, and expressed hope that the same approach would be adopted by other organizations and institutions.

Mr. Scheuer reiterated the readiness of the Council of Europe to provide all the required support in order to secure prompt fulfillment of the obligations arising from the membership in the Council of Europe, noting that the realization of the scheduled programs and further reforms were bringing the overall political and economic system closer to the standards of the European Union and other integration processes.

The Prime Minister Djukanovic acquainted Mr. Scheuer with the political and economic developments in Montenegro, relations within the State Union and Montenegros proposals for the redefinition of those relations. Reference was also made to a number of issues of importance to regional cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the newly appointed Special Representative of the Council of Europe Secretary General to the State Union Stefano Valenti and Head of the CoE Office in Podgorica Vladimir Ristovski.