Milo DUKANOVIC, President of Montenegro addresses the plenary in a formal sitting in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT)

Strasbourg

speech

formal sitting

EU - Montenegro (T)

DUKANOVIC, Milo (ME)

Address by Milo ĐUKANOVIC, President of Montenegro: extracts from the formal sitting

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, <p>This particular meting allows us once again to remember the importance of Montenegro and the importance of the Balkans for the EU. To be clear, the process of accession to the EU is irreversible for Montenegro. And your leadership in the future will be absolutely essential, you play a role which is not at all bureaucratic in nature, and thus your presence here in the EP. You can count on my support and that of the EP.</p>

Milo DJUKANOVIC, President of Montenegro, takes the floor in the Chamber

SOUNDBITE (null), Milo DJUKANOVIC, President of Montenegro, <p>When it comes  to the issue of resolving he migrants crisis, Montenegro is in line with the principles of solidarity and humantity, expressing the wish to receive m,igrants from African countries within the limits of its capacities.</p>

SOUNDBITE (null), Milo DJUKANOVIC, President of Montenegro, There are unresolved issues and problems that remain open in the region since the Yugoslav crisis, such as problems in the relations between Serbia and Kosovo, in Macedonia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These two causes are interdependent, confusion and incertainty in Europe, feed the illussions of the proponents of regressive politics in our region. The dream of reshuffling the region seeks the support of these ideas from some people and international actors.

SOUNDBITE (null), Milo DJUKANOVIC, President of Montenegro, Unfortunately the results of the referendum in Macedonia are the best illustration of the problems i'm referring to. Decades of neglecting the problem could not be overcome through the intensified Western support in the last few months. Also the referendum were organised too soon and without enough preparation perhaps the domestic public should have been given more time to fully grasp the importance of such a decision. However it should not lose hope that through a two thirds majority vote in the parliament or through new elections. This outcome can be achieved and I hope that in Brussels and in other capitals this result will be understood as an alarm bell and a sign that it is necessary to take more decisive strategic policy steps.

SOUNDBITE (null), Milo DJUKANOVIC, President of Montenegro, In addition, if the European Union misses another opportunity to integrate the Western Balkans, this will bring a big threat of political involvement of other countries. A lot of countries, third countries that do not share the same strategic goals as the European Union which should haul our region back in the zone of conflict would make the European continent insufficiently stable and disunited. The process of enlargement and full unification of the EU is therefore an optimal path for Montenegro for the region and the entire Europe.

Applause as Milo DJUKANOVIC, President of Montenegro, leaves the floor