Berlin: Germany supports Montenegro on its EU membership path

State Secretary for European Integration and Chief Negotiator Aleksandar Andrija Pejović paid a two-day visit to Berlin where he held several meetings with Government and Bundestag officials in charge of European affairs.

Germany will continue monitoring progress and offering all the necessary support to Montenegro in meeting the requirements for EU membership, Chancellor Merkel’s European affairs adviser Nicholas Meyer-Landrut said in his meeting with Ambassador Pejović. He underlined that Montenegro’s negotiating team is doing an excellent job and he conveyed his expectation that Montenegro will continue implementing reforms with the same vigour and by demonstrating track record in all areas, and especially in Chapters 23 and 24.

The Chief Negotiator thanked Germany for its continued support to Montenegro’s reform and integration efforts and informed Mr Landrut of the progress achieved thus far and the dynamics of the negotiation process. He discussed in particular the implementation of measures from the action plans for Chapters 23 and 24 due to their importance for the overall negotiation process and further progress towards EU membership.

During his meeting with State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior Emily Haber, Mr Pejović discussed the implementation of reforms under Chapter 24. Ms Haber underlined that Germany will offer concrete projects and professional assistance and will continue supporting Montenegrin institutions in implementing their European commitments. In that context, the two officials exchanged opinions on signing the bilateral memorandum on cooperation in the area of fight against organised crime.

The visit to Berlin was an opportunity for Mr Pejović to meet with Bundestag officials – SPD Bundestag club vice-president Axel Schafer, as well as Chairman of the Bundestag Committee for European Affairs Gunther Krichbaum and members of this body. They exchanged opinions on the results and future commitments and challenges on the road to EU membership.

Ambassador Pejović also met with representatives of the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the Ministry of Economy and Energy. The meetings served as an opportunity to present the results Montenegro has made in the EU accession process and to discuss possible future cooperation.