Press release: Constituent session of the Governments Panel for European Integration takes place

The Panel for European Integration of the Government of Montenegro, chaired by Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic, held its constituent session today.

The Panel for European Integration is a high-level political and professional body of the Government managing the process of accession to the European Union and discussing and defining strategic issues of EU accession.

Todays session considered and adopted the Communication on the Preparation of the National Program for Integration (NPI) of the Republic of Montenegro into the European Union, thus meeting the requirements for its further processing within the Government.

The document was recognized as one of high strategic importance and its implementation plan as complex and highly ambitious, but nevertheless realistic. In addition, it was agreed that the activities undertaken so far had been appropriate, forming a solid groundwork for a proper and effective coordination within the constituted bodies, teams and authorities, and leaving the opportunity to expand activities to other bodies, institutions, NGOs and individuals, in order to engage all available resources and create a wide front and a consensus on the future management of the process and compliance with standards on the EU accession path. A strong focus will be placed on involving as many young people as possible, their education and specialization, so they can gradually take over the management of the process.

Reference was made to further strengthening and development of government institutions coordination structure in the forthcoming process of EU integration, as well as the future implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement which, according to plan, would be signed this October.

The Panel also discussed other issues of importance for effective preparation and implementation of the NPI and SAA, in order for Montenegro to meet the timetable and prepare, in technical terms, for EU accession by 2012.

The National Program for Integration will be one of the most important government documents over the next five-year period. It will represent not only a means for coordinating reforms on the path towards the EU and the groundwork for the Governments annual plans, but also a transparent and well-designed review of projected reforms intended for the European Commission and EU member states on the one hand and the Montenegrin society on the other.