Brussels, 29/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Council gave its approval on Friday 29 June to the opening of accession negotiations with Montenegro with its adoption of the conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of 26 June (see EUROPE 10642). The first intergovernmental conference between the EU and Montenegro took place the same day. “This is a historic day for Montenegro and for the EU”, said Danish European Affairs Minister Nicolai Wammen.
“Montenegro has never been as European as it is today. It is beginning to live the European dream. We will try to modernise and catch up with the other states, which will mean that we can strengthen our institutions and get rid of the stereotypes about Montenegro. … The time the negotiations take is less important for us”, said Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Rocen.
Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle pointed out that the country will be the first for which the new approach will apply, with chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (freedom, security and justice) being opened first. The focus will also be “on developing a track record and introducing interim benchmarks, but also with the possibility of applying corrective measures”, he added. Giving no date for the opening of these chapters, the commissioner said that the analytical examination of the acquis communautaire had yet to begin. (CG/transl.rt)