Strasbourg, 16/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 15 April, during her first visit to Montenegro, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton hailed Montenegro's role in the Western Balkans region. “This role is a true example for other countries of the region and how some of the issues that need to be dealt with can be dealt with”, she said at the end of her visit, stating that Podgorica “can be proud of its significant achievements. They too are an important signal for the rest of the region.”
Highlighting “with interest and admiration” Montenegro's progress in its European integration, including the opening and closing of the chapter on education, culture and youth the same day (see EUROPE 10827), Ashton said that she wants to see Montenegro progress “at a steady pace”. She stated that further reforms are needed, in particular in the area of human rights, with the fight against organised crime and corruption. “I know that it's a top priority for you. And we also know that you are looking at the completion of the constitutional reform to make sure the judiciary is fully independent and accountable”, she said at the end of her meetings with Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, and Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Luksic. Ashton added that Montenegro's achievements so far have raised the EU's expectations and she said she is confident that the country can deliver the necessary reforms.
Coming back to the presidential elections of 7 April (see EUROPE 10823), Ashton encouraged all the political parties concerned to work together “constructively” and to resolve the political crisis “following appropriate legal procedures”. Although the final results have not yet been confirmed, the outgoing president, Filip Vujanovic, seems to have carried the victory. However, his opposition, Miodrag Lekic, has denounced fraud and wants the EU to study the situation. (CG/transl.fl)