Press release: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets Miroslav Lajcak, envoy of EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy

Today in Podgorica, Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met with envoy of the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Miroslav Lajcak, who is making an official visit to Montenegro.

Views were exchanged on thee process of resolving Montenegros state status and the Venice Commissions recommendations in that respect.

It was agreed that the Venice Commissions document contained a professional and objective overview of international practices and recommendations that would enable the Montenegrin referendum process to be conducted in an efficient manner.

Prime Minister Djukanovic expressed his satisfaction that the European Union had appointed such a distinguished diplomat and a connoisseur of local matters to help conduct the referendum process in a democratic manner and on terms acceptable to all parties concerned. He reiterated that the Government of Montenegro would meet all recognized international standards and practices applicable in Europe. In addition, he expressed keen interest in the Council of Europes and OSCEs full involvement in the implementation of the Venice Commissions recommendations, regarding the application of standards, the course of preparations and the ballot on the future state status of the Republic.

Mr. Lajcak emphasized that he saw his role in providing a framework required for conducting the referendum process, in order for its outcome to be respected and widely accepted in Montenegro and the international community. He added that the involvement of the European Union alone demonstrated its strong interest in that process and expressed hope that all political actors in Montenegro would take an active part in the dialogue, in order to reach an agreement on that important issue.

Both parties have voiced their readiness to continue communication in the days to come, so as to ensure that the whole process meets the projected timeframe.