Friendly relations between Montenegro and Croatia serve as an example in the region and beyond, and Croatia will continue to support the principle of evaluating the progress of each candidate country according to their individual merits - this is a conclusion following the meetings of the delegation of the Committee on International Relations, headed by Chairperson of the Committee Mr Andrija Nikolić, with high officials of the Croatian Parliament, in Zagreb.
During the official visit to the Croatian Parliament, the delegation held separate meetings with the Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Mr Željko Reiner, Chairperson of the Foreign Policy Committee Mr Miro Kovač and members of the Committee, Chairperson on the Committee for Croats outside the Republic of Croatia Mr Božo Ljubić, and members of the Committee, member of the Committee on European Affairs Mr Davor Ivo Stier, as well as members of the inter-parliamentary Croatia-Montenegro Friendship Group.
Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Mr Reiner stressed that that Croatia supported “more for more” approach to the European Union, based on the fulfilment of set criteria, and expressed the assurances that Croatia would continue to provide the necessary assistance and share experiences from the negotiation process - "We are ready to continue sharing knowledge from the process of accession negotiations with the EU, as well as to continue providing support in the implementation of reforms in Montenegro”, Mr Reiner stressed.
Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants Mr Andrija Nikolić thanked Mr Reiner for everything that Croatia has done for Montenegro in the recent phase of our history, especially regarding sharing of expertise and experiences during the NATO and EU accession process. Reminding that the state of Montenegro makes serious efforts in implementing reforms aimed at raising the quality of life of its citizens, Nikolić pointed to the need for a stronger presence of the Union in the region, as a necessary prerequisite for further emancipation of the Western Balkans societies.
The meeting with the host of the visit - Chairperson of the Foreign Policy Committee Mr Miro Kovač and members of the Committee Mr Joško Klisović, Ms Vesna Pusić and Mr Davor Ivo Stier emphasised that the partnering relations of the two countries opened the way for Montenegro and Croatia to focus more on future joint actions, due to the fact that as a stable countries and NATO members they can serve as mediators and catalysts in resolving the region's problems.
Mr Kovač pointed out that Montenegro should continue its efforts aimed at raising the quality of citizens' life, the development of society and the implementation of the necessary reforms in the process of European integration, and that the deadlines were not the most important thing. He also expressed a full understanding of the attitude of Montenegro regarding the need for preserving and promoting the regatta principle in the EU enlargement process, noting that after the Republic of Greece, Croatia was the only country that joined the Union independently. MP Ms Vesna Pusić emphasised the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in the final phase of the integration process, emphasising the importance of spreading information about Montenegro's progress among the EU members.
It was jointly noted that the unresolved inter-state issues between Montenegro and Croatia were not a problem in the political sense, and that they should be addressed as before, by constructive, friendly, bilateral talks, in the spirit of good neighbourly relations and within the framework of international law.
The meetings in Zagreb also covered other topics such as: the strengthening of economic cooperation, concrete projects such as the Adriatic-Ionian gas pipeline, the Adriatic-Ionian highway, the Adriatic trilateral, the role of the Croatian and Montenegrin minorities, the security, stability and prosperity of the region as well as the common cultural and historical heritage.
Aside from Chairperson of the Committee Mr Andrija Nikolić, the delegation of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants visiting the Republic of Croatia, consisted of members of the Committee: Mr Halil Duković, Mr Dragutin Papović and Mr Miloš Nikolić.
The meetings in Zagreb were also attended by Ambassador of Montenegro to the Republic of Croatia Mr Boro Vučinić.
