Chief Negotiator Drljević, EP Parliament Rapporteur Picula: EP supports enlargement, Montenegro to continue reforms

The European Parliament supports the enlargement policy and Montenegro should continue its good pace of reform implementation, in order to become the first next member of the EU, it was noted at the meeting of Chief Negotiator Aleksandar Drljević and European Parliament Rapporteur for Montenegro Tonino Picula.

During his visit to Brussels, the Chief Negotiator met with the new EP Rapporteur for Montenegro, to whom he congratulated on taking up his new office, expecting his European colleagues will report in detail about Montenegro’s successful path to the EU.

Chief Negotiator Drljević conveyed firm commitment of Montenegro for membership in the EU membership, recalling that the Government and all institutions involved in the negotiation process are persistent in order to provide Montenegro a place in the EU.

"We are working hard to maintain the continuation of Montenegro’s movement towards the EU. In the upcoming period we expect a positive response from the European Commission and member states to the efforts we are making and which will be reflected in the opening of Chapter 8 - Competition and closing of the negotiation chapters in which we achieved internal readiness," the Chief Negotiator stated.

The new EP Rapporteur for Montenegro welcomed the fact that Montenegro was fastest away from all the candidate countries in negotiations with the EU. He emphasized that during his term of office he will commit himself to the strengthening of relations between Montenegro and the EU, as well as he would advocate in the European Parliament for the principle of timely progress on the basis of individual results of the countries.

"I will be a strong advocate of bringing the enlargement policy back to the EU priorities. We are aware that it is not only a technical but also a political issue, which is why it is important for Montenegro, as a leader in the negotiations with the EU, continue to confirm its place in the EU, not only because of its geographical and cultural affiliation but because of meeting the demanding standards which Brussels has set before it," EP Rapporteur Picula noted.

The two officials agreed that the membership of the Western Balkan countries is significant for maintaining the peace and stability of the region but also the whole European continent.

They also referred to the fact that Northern Macedonia and Albania did not open the negotiations, noting that while the region does not look favourably on that decision, it should not be discouraging but should be an additional motive for even better implementation of internal reforms and preparation for full membership in the EU. In the light of Croatian's presidency of the EU Council, high expectations of this presidency have been highlighted for both, Montenegro and other Western Balkan countries.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO