Mr Krivokapić and Mr Bartolon discussed historical ties between Montenegro and France, in light of the upcoming World War II Centenary Celebration. This alliance and today's joint commitment to the same values, made concrete cooperation possible for development in the field of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Montenegro. Mr Krivokapić stressed that the friendship with France, as one of the founding countries of the European Union, was especially important and was continuously expressed in a concrete way, through expert advice in an area that was key to Montenegro's membership in the EU and NATO - the rule of law.

President Bartolone emphasized that the importance of a strong Parliament for the exercise of building of state and the rule of law, was great in "old democracies" as well, like France, but especially in the new ones like Western Balkan countries.

The important role that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly played in making the dialogue possible for de-escalation of the crisis in Ukraine was also emphasized during the discussion. Both sides agreed that these activities of the Parliamentary Assembly yielded an additional reason for the strengthening of the role of the Parliamentary Assembly within the framework of the OSCE. One of mechanisms that had been discussed at the meeting was the evaluation of the implementation of decisions taken by the OSCE structures.

Mr Krivokapić delivered the lecture today at the prestigious French Institute for International Relations (IFRI) on the subject "The Role of the OSCE in Europe in Crisis". "Work on the construction of democracy and protection of human rights will never be complete and one of the advantages of the OSCE is exactly that it provides a forum for dialogue on common challenges and common progress. The world is changing dramatically, and therefore our responses to these challenges have to be faster than ever. Instruments to solve them are also new, but the values ​​and principles that lead an organization date back to its inception. They were a force of progress throughout our countries history. Now they are called to be strengthened by increasing our commitment and responsibility," Mr Krivokapić pointed out in his speech.

The President commented on the modern challenges in the OSCE region: "Issues of justice, trust and stability are closely linked. If there is no justice – then there is no confidence in the system, and if there is no trust, then there is no stability. Despite all the challenges we face, it is clear that their solution must lean on the concept of social justice. It is not an easy road but I am convinced that it is the best way to ensure stability," Mr Krivokaoic stressed.

Mr Krivokapić also met with Mr Thierry de Montbrial, the IFRI President on the crisis in Ukraine and the current political moment in European Union.