I would like to greet you on behalf of Montenegro. I would like to thank Kazakhstan and Minister Saudabayev on the excellent organization of the meeting. We are especially grateful to the Chairmanship for their efforts to facilitate dialogue in the Corfu process. This has resulted in a comprehensive Interim Report which comprises the positions of the participating states. Great numbers of food for thought documents distributed in this process so far are the best evidence of our common interest to strengthen the European and Euro-Atlantic security.

A year after our meeting in Corfu we have come to a moment when we need to assess our progress and decide how to move forward. Our ultimate goal- to strengthen confidence and security in the OSCE area –can only be reached if we reaffirm and improve the existing mechanisms and principles, and fully respect the commitments in the core documents. Primarily we need to strengthen mechanisms for prevention, management and resolution of crisis, as well as post-conflict rehabilitation, especially in the context of protracted conflicts. We have to show a political will to resolve open issues. We need to learn from past experience to avoid the opening of new and rekindling of old problems. It is of great importance to strengthen the capacities of our Organization, particularly its institutions whose work gives invaluable contribution to its efficiency. As a host country of an OSCE Mission, Montenegro has a positive experience in this regard. This is especially significant in human dimension, which is based on the principles and commitments which are a foundation of modern democracy. Montenegro, with its strategic priority of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, believes that the implementation of the existing commitments and their adaptation to modern context where necessary is of crucial importance. Strengthening CSBMs and arms control in the context of modernization of the VD 99 and progress in the CFE implementation is vital for the European and global security. We believe the Organization can contribute more in fight against transnational threats, including through its more active engagement in Afghanistan.

We are convinced that the dialogue has its value and should be continued in a structured way, with clear objectives and timeframe. We all need to show political will so that this process brings results. To contribute to dialogue, Montenegro has cosponsored several food for thought papers in all dimensions. We support the drafting of an integrated action plan which would focus dialogue on the key areas. We believe this would better prepare us for the OSCE Summit after 11 years, which would show substantive results of the Corfu process. A successful Summit with an agreed agenda would contribute to the vitality of our Organization, strengthening of trust and to the main goal of the process – creating a security community which shares the same values. Montenegro will continue to be a constructive and reliable partner in this.

Thank you.