France is ready to help Montenegro speed up reforms and join the EU as soon as possible

As the country holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union, France has expressed its readiness to help Montenegro speed up reforms and join the EU as soon as possible. We received concrete proposals in the field of economic cooperation and expertise that we can count on as a country determined to implement reforms, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European Affairs Jovana Marović, who had meetings with representatives of the French Government, Presidency and Senate in Paris.

As she said, the visit to France was very successful. After participating in the conference in the Senate, she had several constructive meetings.

We presented our goal and priorities of the 43rd Government, concerning the acceleration of the European integration process, necessary reforms to strengthen the rule of law and other reforms related to the judiciary, which should provide results that the EU insists on, Marović said.

We have submitted proposals for the conference in June and we hope that it will be successful, and that a strong message will be sent about the enlargement process and the Western Balkans, but also specifically Montenegro as a leader in the European integration process, Marović concluded.

Marović met with Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces at the Senate Christian Cambon, with whom she discussed ways of joint engagement to help Montenegro on its European path. 

The Western Balkans is an integral part of Europe and I hope that it will soon be an integral part of the European Union. The war in Ukraine has shown the need to help the Western Balkan countries and Montenegro join the EU as soon as possible. Our goal is to bring together countries that share the same values so that all challenges can be solved more easily and thoroughly, said Cambon, adding that the meeting also discussed ways to improve parliamentary cooperation and intensify dialogue in this segment.

He accepted the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister Marović to visit Montenegro and discuss further obligations on the European path with key decision-makers.

Marović also met with the Isabelle Dumont, Diplomatic Adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron. Dumont welcomed the formation of the new government, as well as the fact that it is based on European priorities.

Given the importance that President Macron attaches to the Western Balkans, France intends to provide the necessary support to Montenegro in order to intensify the negotiation process with the EU, Dumont said. She welcomed Montenegro's full alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU.

She emphasised the intention that, through more efficient application of the new methodology and a stronger political approach, France contributes to the quality of European integration and reform processes in the Western Balkans.

Marović informed her interlocutor about the latest activities of the prosecution, which confirm the existence of political will and readiness of Montenegro to deal with organised crime and high-level corruption.

During her visit to Paris, Marović also met with Director for Continental Europe at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Frédéric Mondoloni.

Mandoloni stressed that progress in the area of the rule of law is crucial for further progress on the European path. As he explained, in addition to passing laws in line with the EU acquis, it is necessary to ensure their adequate implementation.

He pointed out that President Macron is extremely interested in the Western Balkans and its further progress towards EU accession, adding that this opportunity should be used by implementing concrete reforms that would accelerate the process of European integration.

Marović expressed confidence that the new Government will show its European character by meeting its key priorities, including strengthening the rule of law, public administration reform and improving living standards.

Marović said that there is a readiness of political actors to reach important decisions in the Parliament by two-thirds or three-fifths majority, which will significantly speed up our European path.

She stressed that Montenegro will continue its full alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, as well as providing humanitarian, financial and military support to Ukraine.