Krivokapić, Presker: Ideal moment for Montenegro to meet the provisional benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić met today with the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Montenegro, H.E. Gregor Presker.

Prime Minister Krivokapić expressed satisfaction that after a successful recent working visit to Ljubljana and the visit of the Slovenian parliamentary delegation to Montenegro, he had the opportunity to meet with the Ambassador of an EU member state, which has just taken over the EU Council presidency for the second time. The Prime Minister emphasised that this is a confirmation that Montenegro and the Republic of Slovenia have excellent relations and substantive cooperation in all areas, with a common European perspective and commitment to the Euro-Atlantic value system.

Prime Minister Krivokapić expressed hope that the issue of the Western Balkan countries membership in the EU would be discussed at a high level on several occasions during the planned 18 meetings during the Slovenian presidency.

The rule of law is a challenge for this Government. All chapters are goal-oriented, and it would be crucial for us during your presidency to turn the provisional benchmarks into the final benchmarks, of course, with your help. If we achieve that result, we would make an exceptional step forward, said Krivokapić.

The Prime Minister said that the rule of law provides security to all foreign investors, as well as to all citizens of Montenegro.

Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Montenegro Gregor Presker said that Slovenia would continue to monitor the situation in Montenegro, and that it was ready to organise numerous diplomatic meetings. Ambassador Presker briefed Prime Minister Krivokapić on Slovenia's strategy of chairing the Council, which is based on strengthening the EU's resilience, the Conference on the Future of Europe, promoting the European way of life and the rule of law, as well as enlargement policy.

Enlargement policy is our priority and especially here we have in mind the Western Balkans. We think this is the right time. It would be ideal for Montenegro to meet the provisional benchmarks in key chapters. We will try to give you full support. The most important thing is to strengthen the rule of law because its impact on the economy is very significant. It is also important for Montenegro to show that it can achieve internal political stability, Presker said.

The Ambassador delievered the invitation of Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Janša to Prime Minister Krivokapić to participate in the Bled Strategic Forum on 1 and 2 September within the panel "Future of Europe - Enlargement". Prime Minister Krivokapić gladly accepted the invitation.