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Media statement following Minister Lidington's meeting with Foreign Minister Luk拧i膰

Minister Lidington stressed UK's full support for Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic ambitions

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
David Lidington with Igor Luksic

Minister for Europe, David Lidington MP has made a statement upon meeting with Montenegrin Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Igor Luk拧i膰:

I am happy to be in Montenegro. Mr Luk拧i膰 and I have just completed our talks. This is part of a continuing pattern of senior bilateral contact between our countries. Mr Luksic was in London in October. A Montenegrin parliamentary delegation visited us in November. Chief EU Negotiator Pejovi膰 was in London two weeks ago.

In all of these discussions, we in the UK have stressed our full support for Montenegro鈥檚 Euro-Atlantic ambitions. On the EU, Britain remains one of enlargement鈥檚 most steadfast supporters. It is a means of enhancing Europe鈥檚 prosperity and security. We remain a strong advocate of Montenegro鈥檚 EU accession and are pleased to be cooperating in a number of practical areas to help Montenegro not only meet the requirements of the acquis but also implement and enforce the new legislation required. Montenegro faces a hard road ahead and the necessary reforms will sometimes be difficult, but it will continue to have the UK鈥檚 full support.

Similarly, we fully support Montenegro鈥檚 ambition to become a member of NATO. Here, too, Montenegro has made significant progress towards meeting the criteria for membership. While any decision on membership is taken by the Alliance as a whole, we continue to help Montenegro meet the outstanding requirements.

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Published 3 February 2014