PODGORICA – Looking at other countries in the region, Montenegro is in the best position, as confirmed by the assessment of EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, as well as other officials of the European Union, minister of European affairs Aleksandar Andrija Pejović said in an interview with Pobjeda daily, CdM reports.
However, security and political influences of third parties are concerning, particularly those during the parliamentary elections in October 2016 and the attempts to destabilise the country and prevent its further progress in achieving the strategic foreign policy goals, primarily NATO membership, Pejović said.
Pejović emphasised that the EU must be more involved in the region and provide a stronger and clearer support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans. That perspective is currently the only guarantee of the preservation of peace and stability in this part of the European continent.
According to him, after a stabilisation period, the political and security situation in the Western Balkans began to deteriorate.
“Tensions in relations and the latest developments in the countries of the region are attracting growing attention, but also concern of the EU. Looking at other countries in the region, Montenegro is in the best position, as confirmed by the evaluation of EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, as well as other officials of the Union,” Pejović told Pobjeda.
He said that Montenegro was recognised as a country committed to the implementation of obligations from the European agenda, as evidenced by its results, but also the leading position in the accession process.
“Also, the EU appreciates Montenegro’s role in the preservation and further promotion of good neighbourly relations and strengthening regional cooperation. However, security concerns and political inflows of third parties, which were particularly obvious during the parliamentary elections in October 2016, as well as attempts to destabilise the country and to prevent its further progress in achieving its strategic foreign policy goals, especially membership in NATO,” said Pejović.