Montenegro's place is in EU

Chief Negotiator with the European Union Zorka Kordić hosted today the representatives of the French Senate, led by President of the France-Western Balkans Friendship Group in the Senate Marta de Cidrac. We are pleased with the enthusiasm and will of all state structures on the road to the EU, and you can count on France's continued support for the negotiation process and your efforts to achieve full membership in the Union, the meeting noted.

The delegation of French senators praised the commitment of the institutions and the negotiating structure to the implementation of the reforms necessary for EU membership. They conveyed their impressions that "there is a strong and clear will for Europe" and that the responsibility of all actors in the process is thus greater towards 75% of those who support EU membership, especially towards young people. They pointed out their satisfaction with the fact that the candidacy of the French Senate for cooperation with the Parliament of Montenegro within the European Parliament for cooperation with the countries of the Western Balkans was accepted, which will further strengthen support for Montenegro and intensify cooperation in the European integration process.  

The Chief Negotiator pointed out that the political support of the EU member states, especially France, is of great importance for the transition to a new phase of negotiations, which implies the gradual closing of the negotiation chapters. In that context, she pointed out the importance of France's increased presence in the region for the enlargement process. Kordić added that Montenegro is determined to, together with France, work on the affirmation and promotion of the New Methodology project, which is a French initiative.

Kordić said that Montenegro's geopolitical orientation, as a member of NATO and a future member of the EU, remains unquestionable.

As she said, European integration is important for the overall stability and progress of the Western Balkans, and is a guarantee of a successful transformation of Montenegrin society. In that context, she pointed out that France's continued bilateral and expert support is important for Montenegro to meet the obligations from the European agenda as successfully as possible.

European integration is a strong cohesion factor of Montenegrin society, and the high support of citizens for membership in the Union is an impulse to continue at greater pace and keep the enthusiasm on that path, said Kordić.