Brussels, 18/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 18 December, the second meeting of the accession conference with Montenegro decided to open and provisionally close chapter 25 on science and research. Montenegro was also asked to prepare and adopt action plans on chapters 23 (judicial apparatus and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice, freedom and security) so as to allow them to be opened. “I hope that next year we will be able to open other chapters and to finish drawing up the action plans for chapters 23 and 24, and we hope to open them very quickly” the Montenegrin minister of foreign affairs, Igor Luksic, said (our translation).
At the same time, the Association and Stabilisation Council called on Montenegro to continue its reforms - in particular judicial and constitutional reforms, the strengthening of administrative capacity and respect for the rule of law and human rights. It also underlined the important commitment of Montenegro in regional cooperation and stability. Hailing the progress made in aligning Montenegro with European legislation and standards, and in the implementation of commitments linked to the stabilisation and association agreement, it encouraged Podgorica to continue its endeavours. (CG/transl.fl)