Press release: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets Director of the EU Councils Directorate for the Western Balkans Stephen Lene

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met today in Podgorica with Director of the EU Councils Directorate for the Western Balkans.

Having exchanged views on outstanding regional issues, the two officials agreed that the settlement of the problem of Kosovo was of critical importance, with a view to promoting regional stability and creating new European prospects. By the same token, the EU and other international protagonists were commended for their efforts in initiating its final settlement.

With regard to possible solutions for future relations between Serbia and Montenegro, Lene reiterated the EUs preference, adding they would, nevertheless, support any option agreed between Podgorica and Belgrade. He stressed that the referendum was a legitimate and lawful right of Montenegrin citizens enshrined in the Belgrade Agreement and the Constitutional Charter.

Prime Minister Djukanovic emphasized Montenegros unremitting commitment to strengthening regional stability, which had been demonstrated by signing the Belgrade Agreement. Observing that todays situation was much batter in that respect, the Prime Minister announced the Governments intention of holding a referendum on the countrys statehood status early next year, in accordance with European standards and practices. In view of this, Prime Minister Djukanovic expressed his belief that the democratic epilogue to this issue would be an important contribution to stability and Europeanization of the region.

Finally, commending the EUs readiness to continue the integration policy for the Western Balkans, in line with the decisions of the 2003 Thessaloniki Summit, both parties expressed their readiness to promote good cooperation and partnership.