„Montenegro has the indisputable and clear support of France when it comes to European integration, shown by the fact that this country appointed a special envoy for the Western Balkans to monitor and help reform processes on the way to full membership“, Minister of European Affairs Maida said at the meetings Gorčević with the special envoy of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France for the Western Balkans, René Trokaz.
The interlocutors conversed the European perspective of Montenegro, regional cooperation and initiatives in that area, as well as France’s expert aid assistance for Montenegro’s European path.
Minister Gorčević thanked for the exceptional political and expert support that France continuously provides to Montenegro on its way to the EU. She introduced the interlocutor to the achieved results and further targets of the Government, focusing on plans and deadlines aimed at fulfilling the obligations from Chapters 23 and 24.
“Now that we have functional institutions, good cooperation between the Government and the Assembly and a formed negotiation structure, we must strengthen work on fulfilling the remaining obligations in the rule of law. The next six months are fundamental to show progress in this and other fields. We don’t have any more time to delay our obligations,” said Gorčević.
The minister pointed out the significance of promoting Montenegro as a tourist destination, but also as a country suitable for investments by investors from EU member states.
When it comes to regional cooperation, the minister said that good neighborly relations and cooperation with the countries of the region in the EU accession process are external priorities of the Government of Montenegro. She pointed out that Montenegro is an active participant in numerous regional initiatives, as well as cooperating with its neighbors within the framework of bilateral and transnational cooperation programs striving to integrate European values and standards and improve the quality of life of our citizens.
Special envoy Trokaz said that France wants to be more present in the Western Balkans and to support the reform processes oriented towards the strengthening of democracy, the improvement of the economy and the EU accession acceleration.
“The very fact that France has appointed a special envoy for the Western Balkans, as well as recent visits at the highest level, confirm France’s willingness to provide all the required assistance for the EU accession of Montenegro and other regional countries“, said Trokaz.
He welcomed the reforms in the judiciary that Montenegro implemented the previous three months.
“We are pleased with the initial results achieved by the 44th Government and Assembly in the field of justice, and I hope that you will remain just as dynamical and successful in the coming period. In this trend, you can count on the continuous support of France in achieving good results and succeding to become becoming the next member of the EU,” said Trokaz.