- Speakers of the European Union Parliaments affirm the European perspective of the Western Balkans countries and their commitment the EU enlargement, because it is an investment into peace, democracy and security. Although they admit to progress achieved by the Western Balkans countries in the previous several years, the speakers called for them to continue with reforms. At the same time, the speakers call for the countries of the region to overcome the existing conflicts and increase regional cooperation – it is said in the conclusion regarding the enlargement policy, adopted at the Speakers of the European Union Parliaments in Vienna, in which President of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Ivan Brajović participated.
The conclusions also state that the European Parliament was undoubtedly a key part of democratic life of the EU, which, together with national parliaments, ensures the legitimacy of the Union’s activity and serves as a strong voice of citizens of Europe. Therefore they call for the European citizens to actively participate in the shaping of the European future at the upcoming EP 2019 elections. Bearing in mind the greatest role of free and fair elections, the speakers consider that the strengthening of democratic resilience in Europe vital.
During the Conference, President Brajović had a series of bilateral meetings with heads of delegations of the parliaments of: Italy Mr Roberto Fico, the Netherlands Ms Ankie Broekers-Knol, Ireland Ms Denis O'Donovan, the Czech Republic Mr Radek Vondráček and Mr Jaroslav Kubera, Slovakia Mr Andrej Danko, France Mr Jean Bizet, Latvia Ms Ināra Mūrniece and Lithuania Mr Viktoras Pranckietis.
During bilateral meetings, the emphasis was put on political and economic relations of Montenegro and each of the countries, the status of accession negotiations and the necessary reforms that are being implemented with the aim of institutional strengthening and harmonisation of the legislation and other regulations with the regulations of the European Union.
- I had truly open and friendly conversations with a large number of speakers of European parliaments. To all my interlocutors I have voiced the expectation that Montenegro, as a certain leader in the negotiation process and a country with excellent neighbourly and regional policies, has a realistic expectation that the principle of individual achievement would be respected and that it will receive administrative, economic, and any other manner of support on its European path. I have to say that I have been assured by all interlocutors that the developments and activities in both Montenegro and the region are closely followed. There were also encouraging messages and assurances that Montenegro, as a good example in many segments, has a friendly support and appreciation of its reform efforts. Although the EU members are awaiting the EP elections in May, at the Conference, as well as in the conversations with parliamentary speakers, the continuation of parallel processes of internal consolidation of the European apparatus is expected, with a policy of providing support to candidates for membership.
The Vienna Conference sessions were dedicated to Europe and its neighbours, as well as the European Union ahead of the 2019 European elections - further development of cooperation between national parliaments and European institutions”.
VIDEO: Footage - bilateral meetings - Vienna
Press statement by President Brajović
