Meeting of Chairperson of the Committee on European Integration Mr Slaven Radunović with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium Mr Didier Reynders was marked by the conversation on the topics such as Montenegro’s integration to the EU and NATO as well as Montenegro’s progress in implementing the key reforms.

Minister Reynders praised devotion of the Parliament of Montenegro to reforms in the field of the rule of law through the legislative process and its transparency. Deputy Prime Minister of the Belgium Government was interested for the issue of support to Montenegro’s accession to the EU and NATO, and for the manner in which it was necessary to ensure the implementation of anti-corruption laws.

With regard to Montenegro’s accession to the European Union, the Committee Chairperson pointed out that there was an absolute consensus among political parties, which was not the case with integration to the North Atlantic Alliance, in relation to which the positions were different, regarding both – the issue of membership and the manner of joining. Mr Radunović agreed with Minister Reynders about the devotion of the Parliament of Montenegro to the process of integration to the European Union, adding that within the parliamentary control of negotiation process, the Committee on European Integration played a significant part. The previous practice of consensual decision making within the Committee reflected the awareness on the importance of integration, and not as an elitist process but the one that concerned all Montenegrin citizens. Among the greatest challenges in the negotiation process with the EU, the Committee Chairperson stated the need for more efficient implementation of regulations within the chapters related to the rule of law.

Mr Reynders and Mr Radunović agreed that the reforms should be focused more on implementation than adoption of the laws, since in that manner the accession process to the European Union - based on cooperation of all shareholders – would be completed to the satisfaction of Montenegro and its European partners.

The meeting was also attended by Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Montenegro on a non-residential basis Mr Leo D’Aes.