Press release: Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic meets European Parliament Rapporteur for Montenegro Marcello Vernola

Prime Minister of Montenegro Zeljko Sturanovic met in Podgorica today with the European Parliaments Rapporteur for Montenegro, Marcello Vernola.

The purpose of Mr Vernolas visit was to exchange views on current developments in the Republic and gather relevant information for the adoption of the European Parliaments resolution on the European perspective of Montenegro, following the Declaration of Independence.

Mr Vernola congratulated the Prime Minister on his appointment and emphasized the importance of the invitation from the NATO Summit in Riga for the future of Montenegros European and Euro-Atlantic integration. He also conveyed the expectation of the European Parliament that all-round cooperation with Montenegro would be continued and reinforced in the next period.

Having thanked Mr Vernola for his congratulations, the Prime Minister emphasized Montenegros commitment to further reform, aimed at meeting the necessary requirements for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, as Montenegros foreign policy priorities, as soon as possible. In this context, the invitation to join the Partnership for Peace is a strong incentive to make additional effort to adopt European standards and achieve the goals set out.

The Prime Minister stressed that, by the end of the year, the Governments efforts would be concentrated on finalizing the text of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union and signing it as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Sturanovic also informed his guest that the Government was committed to reaching an internal dialogue on important issues at all levels of the society as soon as possible, and adopting and implementing the rules providing equal treatment to all citizens of the Republic. The Prime Minister informed Mr Vernola of the course of administrative and the forthcoming constitutional reform. He expressed confidence that Montenegro, having adopted the new Constitution, would confirm its European course, adopting the fundamental values of modern European societies.

Having thanked the Prime Minister for the information provided, Mr Vernola announced another visit to Montenegro, in order to complete the forthcoming process in the European Parliament in the best possible way.