Press release: Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic meets NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegation, headed by Michael Clapham Chairman of Committee on Civil Dimension of Security

Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic received, in Podgorica today, a delegation of NATO Parliamentary Assembly, headed by Chairman of the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security Michael Clapham.

The Prime Minister acquainted his guests with the current political and economic situation in the Republic, describing political situation as stable and economic developments as very dynamic. In that respect, he stressed that macroeconomic stability had endured for quite some time, together with upward trends in all indicators of GDP growth and foreign investment, a low inflation rate, a budget surplus and a decline in unemployment rate. The Prime Minister said that the Governments activities focused on further reforms in all areas, strengthening of economic growth and development with a view to creating new jobs and improving the standard of living.

In terms of foreign policy, the Governments efforts are concentrated on further integration into European and transatlantic structures, which means that after the initialing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement its signing is expected soon, together with a concretization of cooperation with NATO within the Partnership for Peace Program, which Montenegro joined last December. By the same token, the Prime Minister noted that the Government had adopted the Presentation Document expressing Montenegros interest to implement, through the Partnership for Peace, the contents concerning the development of multilateral and bilateral cooperation at the regional level, develop cooperation in military affairs and reform defense systems, develop systems of democratic control of armed forces, educate and train civilian and military personnel, etc.

The Prime Minister also informed the delegation members that the admission to the Council of Europe was expected the following month and that requirements were being met in parallel for joining the World Trade Organization as soon as possible.

Mr Clapham gave credit to the Montenegrin Government and other state authorities for the progress achieved in all areas of socio-economic reform. He expressed the interest and readiness of NATO Parliamentary Assembly to reinforce cooperation with relevant institutions of Montenegro.

In addition, the Prime Minister answered the questions of representatives of Portugal, Monaco and Slovenia concerning internal development, European integration, etc.