Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Milan Rocen hosted today the Head of Unit for Croatia and Montenegro in the Directorate General for Enlargement of the European Commission, Mr Dirk Lange. The meeting also attended former head of Unit for Montenegro and Albania Vassilis Maragos, Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro Leopold Maurer, and the Head of Political Section at the EU Delegation Alberto Cammarata.

Minister Rocen welcomed the guests and conveyed Montenegro's commitment to continue the very successful and constructive cooperation with the European Commission and the EU Delegation regarding implementation of the Action Plan and the seven key priorities and said that he believed that the experience and the expertise of the the new Unit for Croatia and Montenegro headed by Mr Lange will be of great help to Montenegro in the new phase of the EU integration process. He noted that in a way it will be easier for Montenegro because its immediate goal – the opening of accession negotiations – is more important than the final goal itself – the accession to the EU, because this is a chance for democratisation of the society, implementation of European standards, and building efficient and more transparent institutions, thus underlining that there is a broad political consensus in the country when it comes to European integrations. He informed his interlocutors of the activities and preparations in the run up to the formal opening of accession negotiations and underlined the importance of appointing the working groups for chapters 23 and 24 and announced that the Government will adopt the decision on establishment of negotiating structures as soon as possible.

Mr Lange commended Montnegro on the great progress that has been made over the past several years which, as he pointed out, has been confirmed by the decision of the European Council and underlined that one of priorities of the Directorate General for Enlargement is the formal opening of negotiations with Montenegro. He also noted that the opening of negotiations implies more dynamic communication, especially regarding chapters 23 and 24. In this context he conveyed full commitment for open and constructive cooperation. He said that this is a process where we are all on the same side and we have to have the same goal.

Minister Rocen thanked Mr Maragos and his team on excellent cooperation over the past several years which, he noted, contributed significantly to the common success.