During its Presidency of the European Union, Austria will strongly support the Western Balkans accession to the community of European nations, whereby Montenegro can serve as an example and a model, due to its clear commitment to the Union - Mr Wolfgang Sobotka, President of the Austrian National Council, said at the meeting with Mr Ivan Brajović, President of the Parliament of Montenegro. President Sobotka thinks that even though Vienna Process gives guidelines for the enlargement process, when it comes to EU membership, fulfilling of criteria should be the basic principle for the progress of the states. They also talked about regional developments and European perspective of other candidates.
As for bilateral relations with Montenegro, the President of the Austrian Parliament believes that historic ties, cultural connectivity and devotion to common perspective are a good basis for strengthening cooperation of the two states in numerous fields, primarily in tourism and culture.
The President of the Parliament of Montenegro thanked for the sincere support that Austria had provided to European politics of Montenegro also through opportunities for exchanging knowledge and experience with this friendly state. During the talks, they also discussed parliamentary model and further development of political relations, while Democracy Workshops were cited as a successful joint project, initiated by former President of the Austrian Parliament Ms Barbara Prammer.
- In a friendly and sincere talk with the President of the Parliament of Austria, the state which will preside of the EU from July, I was assured that Austria will be a true promoter of Montenegro’s interests on its integration path, the President of the Montenegrin Parliament said in his statement after the meeting.
Summing up his visit to Vienna, Mr Brajović said that in numerous meetings with high officials of the OSCE and EU member states, it was unanimously assessed that Montenegro was a good example of a country which contributed to regional stability and that, if it continues the current pace, it will be the first next member of the European Union. Montenegro is very present in international organisations at all levels, and parliamentary cooperation gives extraordinary results in providing an objective picture of Montenegro.
- We discussed a lot the presidential election, and parliamentary activities on improving the electoral legislation. It already passed the check-up in 2016 parliamentary elections, and now, by addressing the ODIHR recommendation, we have provided even better election environment. With the OSCE representative for media, it was jointly concluded that the state - particularly by increasing the budget for the Public Broadcaster - did a lot to provide preconditions for ever more independent, professional and objective work of this outlet, which is our joint interest.
By meeting Mr Wolfgang Sobotka, President of the Austrian National Council, Mr Ivan Brajović, President of the Parliament of Montenegro, ended his visit the Winter Session of the OSCE PA in Vienna.
Statement by President Brajović
Meeting with the President of the Austrian Parliament - FOOTAGE
