Austria will continue to be one of the most prolific advocates of the European Union enlargement on the basis of the "regatta" principle and the achievements of the candidate countries, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Montenegro H.E. Anna Janković said at the meeting with Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants Mr Andrija Nikolić.

According to Ms Janković, this means that the official Vienna will pledge Montenegro to become a member of the European Union when it conducts the necessary reforms, regardless of the position of other candidate countries.

Austria's position is also clear regarding the boycott of parliament by the opposition and in that sense, the only model for overcoming political disagreements should be the dialogue that must be led in the Parliament of Montenegro, Ms Janković said.

Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants Mr Andrija Nikolić told the Austrian ambassador that it was confirmed that the boycott of the parliament was not the result of complaints about the regularity of the elections, which were evaluated as fair and free from all relevant international addresses, but rather a new attempt by the opposition to rid the government in a non-institutional way.

Noting that European integration and the Western Balkans are always in the focus of Austrian foreign policy, Nikolić expressed gratitude for the continuous support that Austria provides in the process of European integration and the recognition of Montenegro's leading role in the regional regatta of joining the European Union.

The interlocutors agreed that apart from all the successes on the European integration path, Montenegro should continue to strengthen the rule of law and institutions as well. In this regard, Nikolić expressed expectation that Austria will continue to support Montenegro's reform processes, which will be crowned by accomplishing the most important foreign-political priority - joining the European Union.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the Friendship Group with the Parliament of Austria and the need for strengthening contacts at the level of the parliaments of Montenegro and Austria.