Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro is participating in the Inter-parliamentary Conference for Common Foreign and Security Policy and Common Security and Defence Policy, which is being held in Athens, on 3-4 April 2014.

Chair of the Committee on National Defence and Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament Mr Konstantinos Tsiaras and Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament Mr Elmar Brok delivered introductory statements at the gathering.

In his address, Chair of the Committee on National Defence and Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament Mr Konstantinos Tsiaras referred to current geopolitical challenges, emphasising that European Union should uniquely approach problems solving and promoting a set of measures for achieving progress and building trust. He also said that it was important to address the issue of maritime safety, as one of the key topics of foreign policy of the European Union, stressing the need of overall approach to the issue. Additionally, he said that in respect of defence and security, complementarity and joining of capacities should be strengthened as well as mechanisms for quick response in times of crisis.

Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament Mr Elmar Brok said that European Union had no unique approach regarding the last events in Ukraine, and that situation in that country and state of affairs in Syria represented one of priority challenges in the moment. He added that every county had a right to self-determination, saying that fundamental rights should be protected, and emphasising that Lisbon Treaty contained a number of mechanisms for facing current political and other challenges.

In the continuation, participants discussed security challenges in south and east neighbourhood of the European Union. Mr Evangelos Venizelos, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic spoke on the concerned topic, emphasising the willingness of the host country to support and enhance neighbouring countries. With regard to that, he said that help should be provided to strengthening of institutions in those countries, in order they could adequately overcome problems they have been facing with. He also said that it was important for the European Union to have and unique approach to regional issues which would result in confirming the political identity of the organisation.

On day one of the gathering, meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee for Revision was also held as well as meeting of heads of delegations of European Union member states and meeting of political groups.

Inter-parliamentary conference continues tomorrow.