Minister of Foreign Affairs Milan Roćen received today the Secretary of State for European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Pedro Lourtie.

Minister Roćen expressed his gratitude for the friendly support and help Portugal provides for Montenegro and Western Balkan countries in regard to their European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and underlined that, after entering into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, new perspectives for further progress of the region towards the EU are being opened. He said that Montenegro can expect the candidate status by the end of this year, and added that setting the date of the commencement of the accession negotiations is equally important.

Mr Lourtie stated that the political relations between the two countries are excellent. He said that Portugal strongly supports Montenegro on its way towards the EU and NATO and added that there is not an enlargement fatigue in the EU vis-à-vis the countries of the Western Balkans and that the progress of particular countries will give a positive impulse to the overall enlargement process.

Also, it has been stated that there is a big potential, as well as the will, for further development and strengthening of bilateral and especially economic relations. Mr Lourtie conveyed that Portugal is very interested in establishing cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, renewable energy and tourism and he announced an imminent visit of a delegation of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce to Montenegro.