Abazović hosts the Ambassador of Portugal: We are determined to complete the reform processes

"Montenegro highly values unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, which the European Commission reaffirmed in its proposal for a new negotiation methodology," said Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic during a meeting with the non-resident ambassador of Portugal to Montenegro, H.E. Maria Virgínia Mendes da Silva Pina.

DPM Abazović congratulated Portugal on its fourth presidency of the EU Council and welcomed Portugal's priorities, which are in line with the development priorities of the EU and our country. Abazović expressed gratitude that Portugal has consistently promoted enlargement policy during previous presidencies, as well as during the current one, emphasising that it is very important in the promotion of European values and policies in the Western Balkans.

"Montenegro is the only candidate country that opened all negotiating chapters and temporarily closed 3. We are determined to complete the reform process. Montenegro's integration into the EU has no alternative and we want to complete this process," DPM Abazović said at the meeting.

Abazović pointed out that the rule of law remains the backbone of the negotiation process and stressed that the Government of Montenegro is absolutely committed to reforms in the area of Chapters 23 and 24, recalling that in the previous period, intensive talks were held with the Venice Commission, which resulted in newly adopted amendments to the Law on the State Prosecutor's Office.

The two officials agreed that there is huge room for improvement of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of tourism, ecology, defence, culture and education.