Mr. Chairman, Dear colleagues and friends,

Montenegro is politically one of the most stable countries of the region, constantly building relationship of trust and mutual respect with its neighbors. The consequences of the global economic crisis have not bypassed us. However, we have preserved macroeconomic stability and in some areas we have even strengthened it. We have reduced the unemployment rate. The number of tourists and the registered income will be at the level of the very successful last year’s season. Foreign direct investments in past eight months have increased for 8% compared to the same period last year. We are about to set off the realization of numerous capital projects related to road infrastructure, energy and tourism. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you with pleasure that, for years, Hungary has been one of the leading investors in Montenegro, and that 60% of total investments in Montenegro comes from EU countries.

The Government and other relevant subjects are working hard and dynamically to fulfill the commitments in the process of European integration. We expect that EC Annual Report on progress of Montenegro for 2009 will objectively confirm achieved results and the efforts our administration has invested in it. We have fulfilled the remaining commitments from the Road Map and we are a step away from visa liberalization. Finalization of our responses to EC Questionnaire is under way. All this, along with other activities, also contributes to strengthening of our administrative capacities.

At the same time, we are encouraged with dynamic progress Montenegro is making in the process of integration to NATO. All four PfP programs are being realized successfully. We expect to be invited to enter into MAP by the end of the year, which will open new possibilities for acceleration of reforms we are implementing in this integrative process.

The key for long term security and stability of the Western Balkans is regional cooperation and mutual ties among the countries of the region. Montenegro believes that this is the best recommendation for faster progress in achieving our shared European and Euro Atlantic goals. We are currently chairing CEFTA, Regional Anti-corruption Initiative, MARRI and the Council of Ministers of Culture of the South East Europe. In the course of next year Montenegro will take over the chairmanship of CEI, Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and SEECP. It is a great challenge for us, but also a great stimulus for enriching and modernizing regional cooperation. I highly appreciate the close cooperation of the Visegrad group with other regional structures. We see the fact that the Western Balkans is among priorities as a new impetus for further cooperation in the integration processes. Even more because V4 has proved to be a successful model that was very helpful to its member states in their process of European integration. This experience is extremely valuable for Montenegro and other Balkan countries. We therefore welcome this framework for cooperation. We could perhaps also consider the possibility that each member of the Visegrad group selects a country in the Balkans and be its cosponsor on its European path. Of course, it would in no way diminish cooperation with all countries, since all our countries and the region as a whole are always in the focus of the Presidency and the EU Troika.

In closing, I would like to express great pleasure that the voters in Ireland gave support to the Lisbon Treaty and convey hope that especially now the EU enlargement policy in the Western Balkans will be a constant high on the agenda of priorities of Spain, Belgium and Hungary.

Thank you.

Budapest, October 6, 2009