Prime Minister Djukanovic meets Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro Maurizio Massari

During the talks, reference was made to the present situation in Montenegro, relations within the State Union and regional developments in the Western Balkans.

The Prime Minister informed Mr Massari about his recent visit to Brussels and talks he had with senior EU officials, emphasizing that the Government's priorities in the following period included strengthening of political and macroeconomic stability and settlement of the statehood status. With regard to the EU accession, the Government this year plans to take decisive steps forward, such as a positive feasibility study on stabilization and association process and the opening of negotiations on that process. In terms of NATO accession, membership in the Partnership for Peace Program is a straightforward goal. In view of this, Montenegro has met all the requirements and expects the other member state to fulfill its obligations, above all regarding cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.

Mr Massari pointed out that he was in contact with the EU officials and that his message concerning the Feasibility Study for stabilization and association process was positive. At Mr Massaris inquiry, the Prime Minister presented his view on the settlement of outstanding issues in the State Union, possibilities for reaching an agreement with Serbia and the ways for allowing the citizens decide those issues in a democratic procedure based on international standards.

It was agreed to continue dialogue on concrete issues concerning cooperation with the OSCE Mission in Belgrade and the OSCE Office in Podgorica, whose activities were said to be extremely useful in the process of socioeconomic reform, adoption of international standards and institutional development.

Ambassador Paraschiva Badescu, Head of the OSCE Office in Podgorica, attended the talks.