The delegation of the Committee on European Integration of the Parliament of Montenegro, headed by the Chairperson of the Committee Mr Adrijan Vuksanović, is staying in Zagreb today and tomorrow, at the invitation of the Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee of the Croatian Parliament Mr Domagoj Ivan Milošević.
Today, the delegation has been received by Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Mr Gordan Jandroković, who voiced strong support for Montenegro's accession to the European Union, and emphasised that Croatia was ready to continue supporting this European path by providing its political and expert assistance. Chairperson Vuksanović emphasised the significance of partnership aimed at maintaining good negotiation pace and pointed out that Montenegro’s priority was primarily reform process and better quality of life for its citizens. The meeting also focused on current bilateral issues, and good cooperation between the two countries was emphasised.
At a meeting with the European Affairs Committee, Chairperson Vuksanović said that Croatia gave a significant impetus to Montenegro’s European path, both via a clear commitment to the individual merit-based EU accession, as well as through its technical and expert assistance, such as granting access to their translation of the European legislation. Furthermore, he expressed hope that certain challenges would be resolved, especially with regard to Chapter 27 - Environment, and that Montenegro would soon receive a green light to open negotiations for this chapter. Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee Mr Domagoj Ivan Milošević emphasised the significance of implementing effective reforms in the pre-accession period so that the EU as a member state would not face the toughest challenges. The meeting also covered the inclusion of the Boka Navy in the UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, migration and security issues, the departure of young people into other EU countries, as well as investment climate and economic cooperation.
The delegation of the Committee also met with the Foreign Affairs Committee, headed by its Chairperson Mr Miro Kovač, the Croatia-Montenegro Friendship Group, headed by Ms Vesna Bedeković, and the Committee on Regional Development and European Union Funds, headed by its Chairperson Ms Branka Juričev-Martinčev.
The meetings focused on current issues within bilateral relations, the pace of Montenegro's EU negotiations and communicating the accession process to the public. It was particularly emphasised that, in the pre-accession period, there should be efforts to make better use of the European funds and focus not only on large infrastructure projects, but also on the strengthening of professional support and administrative capacities.
The visit will resume tomorrow, when the delegation will meet with Ms Vesna Pusić, a member of the European Affairs Committee and the former Chairperson of the National Committee for Monitoring the EU Accession Negotiations, as well as with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Ms Marija Pejčinović-Burić.
The signing of the Protocol on Cooperation between the Committee on European Integration of the Parliament of Montenegro and the European Affairs Committee of the Croatian Parliament will take place tomorrow.
In addition to Chairperson Vuksanović, the delegation of the Committee consists of its members Mr Mihailo Anđušić and Mr Momčilo Martinović, as well as MP Mr Miloš Nikolić, member of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants.
