Press release: European Integration Council meeting

At todays meeting, chaired by President of the Republic Filip Vujanovic, the European Integration Council of Montenegro considered the Communication on the Preparedness of Serbia and Montenegro to Negotiate a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union, which the EU Council of Ministers adopted, at the European Commissions recommendation, on 25 April 2005 a, as well as the Draft Comments on the Feasibility Report prepared by the Governments Committee for the Coordination of the EU Accession Process.

The European Integration Council expressed particular satisfaction at the fact that the country had received a positive feasibility report. The Council attached particular importance to the European Commissions assessment that the negotiations on the Stabilization and Association should begin in spite of the existing arrangement on the eve of Montenegros referendum, since, as the Study said, the referendum is not per se an obstacle to progress towards contractual relations with Serbia and Montenegro under the twin-track approach

The Council observed that Serbia and Montenegro was the last country in the region to obtain a positive feasibility report owing to delays in fulfilling its obligations to the Hague Tribunal, and reminded that the rate of future negotiations would also be made conditional on full cooperation with the Tribunal.

Following the presentation of the Draft Comments on the Feasibility Report, the Council approved the document in principle, at the same time giving suggestions for its finalization.

The European Integration Council also considered other issues associated with Montenegros European integration.