Brussels, 10/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - The foreign affairs committee at the European Parliament (AFET) has given its support to opening accession negotiations with Montenegro, if possible by the end of this year. In a draft resolution adopted on 10 February (62 votes in favour, three against, with three abstentions), MEPs welcomed the decision by the European Council in December 2010, to grant Montenegro the official status of candidate country (the Commission recommended this in its progress report of 2010). A decision on opening accession talks is expected to be taken by the European Council by December at the latest, explained MEPs. AFET members are pleased with the high priority that the government appears to be giving the reforms linked to the European integration process but they are also concerned about the major shortcomings that persist, particularly with regard to corruption, organised crime and restrictions on freedom of the press. Despite the measures already taken by the government, corruption is still prevalent in many areas, especially in the construction, privatisation and public procurement sector, regretted MEPs. (H.B./transl.fl)