Press release: Djukanovic meets Petersen

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic received, today in Podgorica, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Kosovo Soren Jessen-Petersen, who is making an official visit to Montenegro.

During the meeting, reference was made to the current political and economic situation in Montenegro, relations within the state union and regional developments in the Western Balkans. Possibilities were discussed for further strengthening of cooperation between the international administration in Kosovo an Metohija and the Government and relevant authorities of Montenegro.

Mr Petersen acquainted the Prime Minister with the latest steps the international community had taken regarding the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, the recent report by Ambassador Kai Eide and the plans to start the final status negotiations before the end of this year.

The Prime Minister found that the presented plan of activities was realistic and stressed that Montenegro would continue supporting the efforts the international community was making, as well as UNMIKs and KFORs concrete activities aimed at creating a lasting peace, developing necessary institutions and mechanisms safeguarding human rights and freedoms, with a view to establishing a stable multiethnic society. This, as the only remaining security problem, should be resolved at the projected pace, in talks between Belgrade and Pristina, with the participation of the international community, pursuant to the UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

In addition, the Prime Minister informed the Special Representative Petersen of the Governments priorities concerning the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration and the resolution of the statehood status, in accordance with the provisions contained in the Belgrade Agreement and the Constitutional Charter. He pointed out that those processes were complementary and that the resolution of the statehood status could not jeopardize the integration process, because the introduction of the twin-track approach had made a fundamental progress towards European integration.

It was agreed that the resolution of the outstanding regional issues in the Western Balkans would release enormous energy, which should be directed to development goals.

Both sides expressed readiness to continue and intensify their contacts, aimed both at further developing bilateral cooperation and at strengthening regional stability.