Verklaring EU-president Van Rompuy over zijn ontmoeting met premier van Montenegro Lukšic (en)

EUROPEAN COUNCIL THE PRESIDENT

Brussels, 23 March 2012

EUCO 57/12 PRESSE 133 PR PCE 49

Press statement by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy i following the meeting with Prime Minister of Montenegro Igor Luksic

It is my pleasure to welcome the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Igor Luksic to Brussels

Montenegro has become one of the champions of European integration in the Western Balkans. It received a candidate status from the European Council in December 2010, which was a fair recognition of its achievements. Today's meeting gave us an opportunity to discuss Montenegro's accession process and take stock of the progress achieved since we last met a year ago. I am pleased that good progress has continued under Prime Minister Mr. Luksic's leadership

Montenegro will remain high on the EU agenda in the coming months. As decided by the European Council in December, the Council is going to examine Montenegro's progress in the implementation of reforms, with a view to starting accession negotiations this June. A particular focus will be put on the area of the rule of law and fundamental rights, including the fight against corruption and organised crime

At today's meeting with Prime Luksic, I encouraged Montenegro to continue and intensify the necessary reforms, in particular with regard to the negotiating chapters on judiciary and fundamental rights, and justice, freedom and security. A solid track record in implementing legislation and the finalisation of the constitutional reform on judiciary will facilitate the actual opening of the accession negotiations in June

Dirk De Backer - Spokesperson of the President - ( +32 (0)2 281 9768 - +32 (0)497 59 99 19 Jesüs Carmona - Deputy Spokesperson of the President - ( +32 (0)2 281 9548 / 5150 - +32 (0)475 65 32 15

press.president(g),consilium.europa.eu http://www.consilium.europa.eu/

Montenegro's reforms can serve as an inspiration for many other Western Balkan countries. I welcome the constructive role of Montenegro in fostering regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, which contributes to maintaining stability in the region

To conclude, the European Union stands ready to provide the necessary support and assistance to advance Montenegro's accession process and help the country to realise its European objective. I look forward to further collaboration with Prime Minister Luksic and with Montenegro in this endeavour

EUC