State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ambassador Aleksandar Andrija Pejovic hosted today Macedonian State Secretary for European Integration Jovan Andonovski.

Ambassador Pejovic informed his interlocutor of the results Montenegro has made in meeting the commitments from the European agenda. He underlined hitherto reforms and quantifiable results with regard to the seven key priorities which will be subject of the European Commission's Spring report which will be published on 22 May 2012.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration Milan Rocen hosted today US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Ricker.

Minister Rocen noted that this visit takes place at an important moment, in the run up to the NATO summit in Chicago and the June decision of the General Affairs Council concerning the date for the opening of accession negotiations. He and reiterated Montenegro's devotion to reforms and the speedy progress towards the European and Euro-Atlantic integrations and underlined that membership of the Alliance is a permanent solution for security and stability of the country and the region as a whole, and the best contribution to European security and noted that, although small, Montenegro has been a reliable partner of the United States and the Alliance. Minister Rocen also noted that Montenegro greatly appreciates the support of the US and NATO which has encouraged comprehensive reform, notably with regard to building the rule of law.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration Milan Rocen will host today a farewell visit of the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, Emine Birgen Keşoğlu.

The meeting will take place in the Cabinet of the Minister at 10 am.

Accreditations for recording the event may be made at 482 790.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration Milan Rocen will host on Monday 14 May 2012 US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Philip Ricker.

The meeting will take place in the Cabinet of the Minister at 11 am.

Accreditations for recording the event may be made at 482 790.

Ambassador Keşoğlu thanked Minister Rocen for the support and warm welcome of the Montenegrin administration and Montenegrin people during her stay and expressed content with the development of political and economic relations between the two countries whose relations have traditionally been marked by friendship and mutual respect. In that context, Ambassador Keşoğlu also underlined the role of the personal friendship of Minister Davutoğlu as an additional impetus to the overall cooperation.

Permanent representatives of Montenegro and the Republic of Mali to the United Nations in New York Ambassadors Milorad Scepanovic and Oumar Daou signed on 10 April 2012 a Protocol on Establishment of Diplomatic Relations at the Ambassadorial level between the two countries. They underlined the mutual interest for further enhancement of cooperation between the two countries, notably under the UN framework.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration Milan Rocen hosted today Ambassador of the Republic of India to Montenegro Dinkar Khullar with who he discussed further activities with regard to the bilateral cooperation, following the recent visit of Minister Rocen to India.

Ambassador Khullar underlined that Minister Rocen's first visit to India will have considerably contributed to strengthening of the political dialogue and development of relations between the two countries, on the basis of principles agreed between the two Ministers and the willingness for further enhancement of the overall cooperation. Ambassador Khullar also noted that the announced visit of India's Foreign Minister Somanahalli Krishna to Montenegro will give an additional impetus to that end. He underlined it is not that often that the Indian Minister repays a visit this quickly, which is the best demonstration of India's attitude towards Montenegro, notwithstanding the personal relationship between the two Ministers.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration Milan Rocen hosted today Director of the Continental Europe Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of France Eric Fournier who is in an official visit to Montenegro as part of his tour of the region.

Minister Rocen underlined that Government of Montenegro is entirely focused on the implementation of the commitments regarding the seven key priorities and the expectation of a positive opinion and a decision on the opening of Accession negotiations with the EU in June. He noted that the accession process is a historical chance for democratisation of Montenegrin society and more important than the goal itself. He also underlined the importance of the consensus in the society on the issue of the EU integration process, thus reminding his interlocutor that Montenegro has submitted the membership application during the French presidency. This, he said, assures us that France would support Montenegro's further progress towards the membership.