PODGORICA – Montenegro will focus on rounding up reforms in all chapters, with a special focus on the rule of law and with full support of the EU, is the message from the meeting of Montenegro’s Chief negotiator with the European Union, Aleksandar Drljević, and the Head of the EU Delegation in Podgorica, Aivo Orav.
Today, Chief Negotiator Drljević and Ambassador Orav, together with their associates, held the first meeting after the establishment of the European Integration Office. They discussed the upcoming activities regarding the obligations from negotiation process, as well as the financing of projects from IPA funds.
They agreed on establishing more regular communication between the EU Delegation and the Office for European Integration. Chief negotiator pointed out that he will improve cooperation with all other interested parties, especially representatives of the NGO sector and the media, in order for everyone to give the contribution from their position.
“Our focus will remain on chapters 23 and 24, but also on the implementation of activities in other areas, so that during the Austrian presidency it would be possible for us to open the remaining chapters and slowly start closing negotiation chapters”, Chief negotiator Drljevic said.
“The EU has provided a framework for Montenegro as well for the countries of the Western Balkans. Now it is up to you to do the homework, and we look forward to see you becoming an EU member state as soon as possible. We talked about priorities and it is clear that for Montenegro those are chapters 23 and 24”, Orav said. He also pointed out that EU annually gives an approximate EUR 35 mil of assistance to Montenegro.
Representatives of the EU Delegation encouraged Montenegro to continue with reforms.