Het Cypriotisch voorzitterschap steunt de Europese koers van Montenegro (en)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr Erato Kozakou - Marcoullis visited Montenegro on July 12, 2012. Dr. Marcoullis' visit comes after her visit to Serbia, in her capacity as Foreign Affairs Minister of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Dr. Marcoullis was received by the Prime Minister of Montenegro Mr Igor Luksic. The Minister congratulated Mr Luksic for the opening of accession negotiations of Montenegro with the EU and assured him that the Cyprus Presidency intends to promote this process.

She also encouraged the country's authorities to continue with the necessary reforms as specified by relevant Council Conclusions.

Dr Marcoullis was also received by the President of Montenegro Mr Filip Vujanovic. The Foreign Affairs Minister reiterated the importance of Montenegro's European course and the country's continued commitment to the reform process.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also held consecutive meetings with the former Foreign Minister of Montenegro Mr Milan Rocen and the State Secretary for Political Affairs and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Mr Nebojsa Kaludjerovic. Dr Marcoullis reiterated that the enlargement is a main priority of the Cyprus Presidency, while expressing her full support to the European perspective of the Western Balkans and in particular to Montenegro's accession negotiations.

Mr Kaludjerovic, on his part, expressed his country's gratitude towards the EU and the Cyprus Presidency for Montenegro's accession negotiations and looked forward to a fruitful co-operation with the Cyprus Presidency during this semester.