Abazović meets with EPP delegation: Government strives to achieve tangible results in the field of rule of law and fight against corruption

Prime Minister Dritan Abazović met today with a delegation of the European People's Party (EPP), who is paying a visit to Montenegro. PM Abazović said that the fight against crime and corruption, inclusion, comprehensive reforms and visible economic development are priorities of the new Government on its European path.

The European People's Party delegation is led by Andrey Kovatchev, EPP Group Spokesperson for Enlargement and Southern Neighbourhood, Rasa Juknevičienė, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in charge of Foreign Affairs, and Vladimír Bilčík, Chair of the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee.

We provide full support to Montenegro as a leader in European integration. You will have the support of the EPP in the European Parliament, and visible results are expected from you. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a dialogue in the parliament that will lead to results in the reform of the judiciary, said Andrey Kovatchev, EPP Group Spokesperson for Enlargement and Southern Neighbourhood.

Speaking about the geopolitical situation in Europe, Rasa Juknevičienė, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, congratulated Prime Minister Abazović on his political courage and strategic approach in political action, stating that small European countries can contribute a lot to the European Union and peace in Europe.

Prime Minister Abazović and Vladimír Bilčík, Chair of the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, exchanged views on domestic political issues, the importance of unblocking judicial institutions, challenges and priorities for further reforms.

Emphasising the importance of the EPP in the European Parliament, PM Abazović thanked the EPP delegation for its open support and stressed that the Government strives to achieve tangible results in the field of rule of law and fight against corruption, adding that preconditions for such steps were created, primarily by adopting the Law on State Prosecutor's Office and changes in the Prosecutorial Council, which led to changes in the leadership of the Supreme and Special State Prosecutor's Offices.

Speaking about the domestic political situation, Prime Minister Abazović stated that his intention was for the Government and the Parliament of Montenegro to have an open dialogue on all political issues, which he has already agreed with Parliament Speaker Danijela Đurović. In that sense, PM Abazović stated that he will be committed to opening a dialogue with all political parties and that as a result of good communication and built trust with all MPs, they would succeed together in unblocking the judicial system.

Talking about relations in the Western Balkans, the Prime Minister emphasised that Montenegro strives to build friendly relations with its neighbours based on mutual trust and respect.

Montenegro has a clear foreign policy that is 100 percent committed to NATO and the EU, Prime Minister Abazović concluded.