Press release: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic meets Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Further integration in the European continent is the best guarantee of stability and security, not only for the Western Balkans but for Europe as a whole, Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves agreed at their meeting this evening in Podgorica.

The Montenegrin Prime Minister thanked President Ilves for the support his country had provided to Montenegro on its path to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, adding that Estonia could serve as a role model to the counties of the Western Balkans.

Djukanovic underlined that the present level of Montenegros political and economic development was characterized by stability, and that EU and NATO membership were Montenegros strategic goals.

Djukanovic also said that Montenegro would apply for EU membership by the end of the year and expressed hope that Estonia, which was the first country to ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Montenegro in its Parliament, would support Montenegros application.

Estonian President noted that the present situation was more favorable for small countries aspiring to EU membership than it was when his country was acceding the EU. He underlined that the only way Europe could compete on equal terms with major economic and security powers was through integration into common structures, which was the reason his country supported further enlargement of the European Union. President Ilves emphasized that Montenegro would have Estonias full support and understanding on this, by no means easy, path.