The experience of small countries such as Cyprus and Malta, both in terms of accession negotiations and EU membership, can be extremely helpful for Montenegro’s EU accession talks, the trilateral meeting between foreign ministers of Montenegro, Cyprus, and Malta has concluded.
During the first day of his official visit to Cyprus, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Lukšić spoke with Cyprus’s and Malta’s head diplomats about the transfer of experience in EU integration and the possibilities to bring the three Mediterranean countries even closer.
He reiterated the current developments in the EU accession process, noting at the same time that Montenegro is diligently pursuing its EU agenda commitments. Thus far, we have made good results in accession talks, but we are aware of the future challenges and we are focused on them and on implementing reforms in all areas as successfully as possible, especially in the areas of rule of law, economic governance, and administrative capacities, Mr Lukšić has said.
Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides also noted Montenegro’s progress. Montenegro is an example of successful democratic development and security in the region with a clear European perspective, he noted. He also underlined the commitment of Montenegro’s institution to implementing EU-related reforms, which in his words has yielded concrete results and is spurring constant progress. He said that Montenegro can count on all the help in transfer of experience, knowledge, and technology, based on long-term EU membership of a small administration.
Messages of encouragement and positive assessments also came from Malta’s Minister George Vella. It is a pleasure seeing the progress Montenegro has made. A responsible and committed approach to the accession negotiations and ensuing obligations commands full respect and support, Mr Vella has said, reiterating his country’s full support to Montenegro’s EU efforts from their very beginning. Malta’s head diplomat noted the possibility for cooperation and assistance in various areas, and especially in the context of public administration reform.
The three officials also exchanged opinions on current global topics and regional developments, especially in the Western Balkans countries. In that regard, Mr Lukšić recalled the priorities in regional initiatives and the importance of joint activity on improving infrastructure as a precondition of faster economic development.
