Press release: Prime Minsiter Milo Djukanovic meets with French Ambassador Bernard Garanche

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met with French Ambassador Bernard Garanche for talks on bilateral relations between the two countries and Montenegros next steps towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Referring to the close communication between the two countries officials in recent months, owing to the French presidency of the EU, Prime Minister thanked Ambassador Garanche for the valuable support France had provided to Montenegro in the process. He said that the realization of Montenegros European goals depended primarily on its internal achievements and responsible approach to regional relations.

Prime Minister Djukanovic informed his guest of Montenegros intention to apply for NATOs Membership Action Plan, adding that it expected to join MAP by Strasbour-Kehl Summit next year.

As for the application for EU membership, Prime Minister presented Ambassador Garanche with the reasons inducing the Government of Montenegro to take this step by the end of the year, bringing its actions on the EU path in line with the position of the current EU Presidency.

Ambassador Garanche underlined the importance of bilateral contacts between the two countries, adding that Montenegro had made evident progress towards meeting European and Euro-Atlantic standards. He stressed that Montenegro had no obstacles on its path to NATOs MAP, adding that Paris had high regards for the Montenegrin Governments commitment to aligning its actions on the EU accession path with the position of France.

Prime Minister Djukanovic and Ambassador Garanche underlined the importance of maintaining close dialogue between the two governments senior officials.