Pres release: Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic meets with British Ambassador to Montenegro Kevin Lyne

Having welcomed Ambassador Lyne, Prime Minister Sturanovic thanked the United Kingdom for its strong and unreserved support to the European Unions enlargement to the Western Balkans. The support from the UK, the country with which Montenegro has had a tradition of good relations, is of great importance for our countrys further progress on the path of European integration. The Prime Minister confirmed strong commitment of all state autorities and institutions to further reform and fulfillment of the obligations arising under the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Having expressed his expectation that the European Parliament would ratify the SAA with Montenegro by the end of the year, Prime Minister Sturanovic also voiced hope for prompt adoption of the Agreement in the British Parliament.

Ambassador Lyne expressed his satisfaction with the quality of bilateral relations between the two counties, as well as confidence that such relations would be enhanced even further in the future. Having congratulated Montenegro on the recent signing of the SAA with the EU, Ambassador Lyne emphasized importance of fulfilling the obligations assumed under SAA in the coming period. He stressed that the United Kingdom would continue to support Montenegros efforts towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration, which would be demonstrated by prompt ratification of the SAA between Montenegro and EU in the British Parliament.

Both parties concluded that the opening of the new British Embassy in Podgorica, planned for the middle of next year, would provide for a closer cooperation and more efficient implementation of joint projects. It was agreed that there were many opportunities for further cooperation in tourism, investment, Euro-Atlantic integration, military and police reform and the strengthening of administrative capacities.