Vice President of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Suljo Mustafić participated in the 12th Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, held in Tirana within Albanian presidency of the Initiative.

During the Conference topics such as: accession process to the European Union, promoting sustainable economy and social progress of the Adriatic-Ionian region and promoting activities and services based at local products were discussed.

Mr Ilir Meta, Speaker of Parliament of Albania and Mr Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania had introductory statements at the Conference.

Welcoming the present, Mr Rama emphasised the importance of parliamentary cooperation in the Adriatic-Ionian region and uniqueness of the initiative related by the joint sea. Mr Rama particularly emphasised the importance of adopting the strategy for the Adriatic Ionian region, which represents new innovative form for cooperation which is in line with European strategy “Europe 2020”.

Participants of the gathering of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative assessed as a particularly favourable circumstance the fact that during 2014 member states of this Initiative - Greece and Italy would preside over the European Union and emphasised the necessity of using the possibility offered by the position.   

Vice President of the Parliament Mr Suljo Mustafić addressed the participants of the Conference. In his address he said the for Adriatic-Ionian Initiative represented a solid ground for further progress on the path of integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structure. He voiced express that joint action of member states of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and other regional initiatives may accelerate European integrations of the whole region of the Western Balkans and contribute to improving the quality of citizens’ life. Mr Mustafić emphasized that apart from the success of Montenegro at the plan of approaching to the EU, the previous period was marked by successful activities regarding NATO integrations, whose significance was evident and particularly emphasised in the light of the current and worrying events in Ukraine. “I want to emphasise that processes of European and Euro-Atlantic integrations are complementary and compatible, and that Montenegro expects to get an invitation to membership to the NATO Alliance at the summit in Wales”, Mr Mustafić concluded.  

The 12th Conference of Presidents of the Parliaments of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative was attended, inter alia, by the following: President of the Hellenic Parliament Mr Vangelis Meimarakis, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Mr Josip Leko, Speaker of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mr Milorad Živković, Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia Ms Polonca Komar and Italian Senator Mr Aldo di Biagio.

The Conference was attended by Ambassador of Montenegro to the Republic of Albania H.E. Ferhat Dinoša.

A Joint Statement was adopted at the end of the Conference.