Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to warmly greet you on behalf of Montenegro. This is a great day for the Western Balkans, but also for the EU. I would like to thank the Spanish Presidency, the EC and all who have initiated and organized this meeting. We should give due credit to those who made an effort so that the representatives of all the countries of the Region are gathered in Sarajevo today. Recent Summit of the Western Balkans leaders at Brdo near Kranj was a good overture for this meeting. We believe the participation of the representatives of the US, Russia and Turkey shows the readiness of the EU to share the vision of the future of the Western Balkans, which is a European one, and at the same time a vision of the future of Europe itself, with the countries that can help the progress of this part of Europe. I would like to thank our friends, the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the organization of the meeting.

It has been ten years since Zagreb Summit, and seven years since the one in Thessalonica. I would also like to remind of the Stability Pact for South-East Europe Summit which took place eleven years ago in Sarajevo. Who could have thought back then that Sarajevo is going to be the seat of the RCC, which is a continuation of the Pact in regional ownership? In the meantime, all of us in the Balkans have skipped centuries. Primarily thanks to the EU. Europe proved to be a unique integrative system in the world. The vitality of this system was reflected in formal enlargement to a number of countries which took place in the meantime. But even more in spreading European values to the Western Balkans where new countries emerged peacefully. Four years ago, on a referendum under the direct patronage of the EU, Montenegro has restored its independence.

As a result of such credibility, in a short period of time Montenegro has practically become a model of the European policy in the region. It has become an example of the success of the European strategy for the Western Balkans. This was proved by the results we have achieved in close cooperation with Brussels, our neighbors, and a number of the EU member states. Our approach to the integration process is both individual and regional. We are a small country which cherishes national, religious, and cultural diversity as its greatest treasure. We have ensured a stable political and macroeconomic framework so that we could focus on our obligations in the integration process. SAA has come into force on May 1. Preparing replies for the EC Questionnaire has been the greatest administrative challenge for us so far. We have strengthened our capacities through this process. We expect positive opinion of the EC and a consensus of all member states for a candidate status and the date of the accession negotiations. European integration is an essence of our policy, on which we have a wide consensus. We are aware that we need to fulfill all our obligations leading to the European goal, but we are also aware that there are no political shortcuts that lead to Brussels. Building good-neighborly relations and contributing to regional stability are our priorities and the best recommendation for our progress on the European course.

Who can count on partnership with European and other countries if one cannot resolve problems and build bridges of friendship with its closest neighbors? We need to help each other, not block one another with unresolved issues. We could think about some kind of binding agreement in this sense, similar to the one made by countries of Central and Eastern Europe at the time. Regional stability is best strengthened through common infrastructural and other projects. We should think about common guidelines in education system. We have to stop poisoning young generations with national frustrations stemming from past. Minorities should be links of unity, not a potential opportunity to destabilize neighbors. We should build ties by European, not Balkan rules. This is a sound framework to resolve the remaining open issues in dialogue. Regional context is a precondition for the objective measurement of progress of each country. It is anachronous to push forward stereotyped favorites declared in advance and to categorize countries on those that are more or less important.

Since this meeting was first announced there were many more of those who looked at its results with skepticism, rather than optimism. Those that are skeptical based this on economic and financial situation in certain EU member states and in Euro-zone. We cannot underestimate this, but this is the only time we have. They say there really never were good old times. We believe that the Lisbon Treaty permanently institutionalized the enlargement policy. Casting shadow over the European goal of the Western Balkans countries would be detrimental both for us and for the EU. We are not asking for any favors, but for the implementation of established rules and procedures, without talks about a delay. We also want each country to be judged by its own merits. Regatta principle generates healthy competition. Road Map for visa liberalization proved to be a tangible stimulus for faster and better fulfillment of obligations. At the same time, it brought about widening of the European front in the Balkans. We are looking forward to visa-free regime for the rest of the countries of the region in near future. The greatest success of this meeting will be a strong message to the countries of the region that Europe is counting on us, that the enlargement policy remains one of the best EU policies. Also, that the pace of the enlargement will not be determined by those that lag back, but those who make progress.

Thank you.